Storage Holborn Health and Safety Policy
Storage Holborn is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and removal operations. We aim to prevent injury and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures.
Scope and Objectives
This Health and Safety policy applies to all activities carried out by Storage Holborn, including storage operations, handling and moving of goods, loading and unloading vehicles, office functions and removal services. Our objectives are to provide and maintain safe premises, equipment and systems of work, to ensure safe handling, storage and transportation of goods, and to promote a safety culture in which everyone understands their responsibilities.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Holborn has overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will provide clear leadership, set high standards and ensure adequate resources are made available to implement this policy. Managers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are completed and reviewed, that safe working practices are developed and followed, and that all staff receive appropriate information, instruction and supervision. Any significant health and safety issues will be reviewed at management level and appropriate corrective actions will be taken.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including those involved in storage, removals and administrative duties, share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents without delay and cooperate fully with training and safety initiatives. Failure to follow safe systems of work may result in disciplinary action.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Holborn conducts regular risk assessments for all significant tasks, including manual handling, working in and around vehicles, use of lifting equipment, working at height, handling heavy or awkward items and moving goods through confined spaces. The findings of these assessments are used to create and maintain safe systems of work. These systems are communicated to all relevant staff and are reviewed periodically or following any incident, change in activity or introduction of new equipment.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key aspect of storage and removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, loads are assessed before lifting and tasks are planned to avoid unnecessary manual handling wherever possible. Mechanical aids such as trolleys and lifting equipment are used when appropriate, and employees are trained in safe lifting techniques and correct body posture. Items that are too heavy or awkward for one person must be handled by a team or with suitable equipment.
Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety
Where vehicles are used for collection, delivery or removal services, Storage Holborn requires that only authorised and competent drivers operate them. Vehicles must be inspected regularly and any defects reported immediately. Loads must be secured correctly to prevent movement during transport. Drivers must follow all road safety rules, avoid distractions, and ensure that loading and unloading operations are carried out in a controlled and safe manner with sufficient space and clear communication between team members.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential to a safe storage facility. Aisles, walkways, loading bays and emergency exits must be kept clear at all times. Items must be stored securely and stacked in a stable manner to prevent falls or collapse. Spillages or obstructions must be dealt with promptly. Lighting, ventilation and temperature levels will be monitored and maintained at appropriate levels to support safe working conditions.
Equipment Safety and Maintenance
All equipment used in storage and removal operations, including lifting devices, trolleys and racking, must be suitable for its intended purpose and kept in good working order. Storage Holborn will ensure that equipment is inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and applicable standards. Employees must not use any equipment for which they have not been trained or that appears damaged, and must report any faults immediately.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Holborn provides health and safety induction for all new employees and ongoing training appropriate to their roles. This includes training in manual handling, safe loading and unloading, use of equipment, emergency procedures and incident reporting. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, providing guidance and addressing unsafe behaviour. Information on health and safety procedures is made available to all staff and updated when necessary.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and other protective items identified by risk assessment. Employees are required to wear and use the equipment as instructed, to take care of it and to report any damage or loss so that replacements can be arranged.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Storage Holborn maintains clear emergency procedures for fire, accidents and other serious incidents. Emergency exits and routes will be kept unobstructed and clearly marked. Fire detection and firefighting equipment will be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with relevant standards. Designated first aiders will be appointed and trained, and first aid supplies will be kept available. All employees must familiarise themselves with the emergency arrangements and participate in any drills or briefings.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly to management. Storage Holborn will investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, risk assessments and procedures will be updated. Lessons learned will be communicated to relevant staff and, where appropriate, included in future training.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Holborn is committed to consulting with employees on matters affecting their health and safety. Feedback from staff, contractors and customers is encouraged and will be considered in the ongoing review of our safety arrangements. Regular audits and reviews of this policy and related procedures will be carried out to ensure they remain effective and reflect current operations, industry practice and applicable standards. This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and updated as required to support safe, reliable storage and removal services.
