Storage Merton Park Health and Safety Policy
Storage Merton Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and any other people who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in our facilities, vehicles, and any locations where we are carrying out moving, handling, and related services.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and to follow recognised best practice within the storage and removals sector.
This policy applies to all activities undertaken by Storage Merton Park, including but not limited to handling and moving items, loading and unloading vehicles, operating storage facilities, and interacting with customers on site or at their premises.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and regularly reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. They will ensure that adequate resources are provided for the implementation of safety measures, including staff training, safe equipment, and appropriate supervision.
Managers will:
Provide clear instructions, information, and training so that employees are competent to carry out their work safely, whether in storage areas, on the road, or at customer premises.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for all significant tasks, including lifting and carrying, stacking and storage, vehicle loading, and the use of handling equipment.
Monitor compliance with safety procedures and take prompt action where improvements are required.
Review health and safety performance at regular intervals and update procedures to reflect changes in operations or relevant regulations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must cooperate fully with management to enable Storage Merton Park to meet its legal and moral responsibilities.
Every employee is expected to:
Follow all health and safety instructions, procedures, and training that relate to their work, including safe lifting techniques and vehicle loading methods.
Use correctly any safety equipment or personal protective equipment provided.
Report without delay any hazards, near misses, incidents, or defective equipment to their manager or supervisor.
Refrain from any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk, including horseplay, unsafe shortcuts, or the misuse of vehicles and handling equipment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Merton Park will identify potential hazards associated with its storage facilities and removal services, such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, vehicle movements, falling objects, and confined spaces within storage units.
Risk assessments will be conducted and recorded for relevant activities, including packing, lifting and carrying, working at height when stacking, use of trolleys and lifting aids, and the loading and unloading of vehicles. Control measures will be implemented and communicated clearly, forming safe systems of work that all staff must follow.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Safe handling is critical in storage and removals. Storage Merton Park will provide suitable handling equipment such as trolleys and dollies, and ensure that employees receive appropriate manual handling training. Staff will be instructed to assess the weight and stability of items before moving them, to seek assistance when necessary, and to avoid unsafe lifting practices.
Only trained and authorised personnel may use specialist handling equipment. All equipment will be inspected regularly and maintained to a safe standard. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Transport Operations
Our removal and transport activities will be managed to minimise risks to drivers, passengers, customers, and other road users. Vehicles used for removals must be roadworthy, maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations, and inspected regularly.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws, and adhere to company procedures on loading, securing loads, driving hours, and parking. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent shifting during transit. No one may ride in the back of vehicles or on unsecured loads.
Site Safety, Storage Units, and Housekeeping
Storage areas and units must be kept tidy, with clear access routes and exits. Aisles, stairways, and emergency exits must be kept free from obstruction at all times. Items must be stacked in a stable manner, with heavier items stored at lower levels where practicable to reduce the risk of falling objects.
Lighting must be adequate to allow safe movement, lifting, and inspection of goods. Spills and loose materials must be cleaned promptly to prevent slips and trips. Any damage to the structure of storage units, doors, or fixtures must be reported immediately.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Merton Park will maintain appropriate fire safety arrangements, including fire detection where required, clearly marked escape routes, and accessible emergency exits. Fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment will be inspected at suitable intervals.
All staff will be made aware of emergency procedures, evacuation routes, assembly points, and how to raise the alarm. Emergency procedures will be reviewed regularly and practiced where appropriate to ensure that staff can respond quickly and calmly.
Health, Welfare, and First Aid
Suitable welfare facilities will be provided for employees, including access to drinking water and sanitary facilities. Storage Merton Park will ensure that adequate first aid provisions are available, including trained first aiders and stocked first aid kits.
Any accidents, injuries, or near misses must be reported and recorded according to company procedures. Where necessary, incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Contractors, Customers, and Visitors
Storage Merton Park will take reasonable steps to ensure that contractors, customers, and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks while on our premises or in the course of removal activities at their locations.
Contractors will be required to follow relevant site rules and to manage the safety of their own activities. Customers and visitors will be provided with information or instructions where necessary, such as safe access routes, no smoking rules, and restricted areas.
Training, Consultation, and Communication
Appropriate health and safety training will be provided at induction and refreshed as needed. This includes training on manual handling, use of equipment, site rules, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures related to storage and removals.
Storage Merton Park will encourage open communication on safety matters and consult with employees on significant changes affecting their health and safety. Suggestions for improving safety are welcomed and will be considered seriously by management.
Monitoring and Review of this Policy
This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or following any significant change in our operations. Lessons learned from incidents, audits, and staff feedback will be used to improve our arrangements.
By working together and sharing responsibility for safety, Storage Merton Park intends to maintain a secure environment for storage and removals, protecting people, property, and the continuity of our services.
