Health and Safety Policy for Storage Petts Wood
Storage Petts Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities and removal services, including the handling, moving and transporting of goods. Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying hazards, implementing sensible controls and promoting a positive safety culture throughout our operations.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We seek to maintain a workplace where health and safety is an integral part of every activity. To achieve this, Storage Petts Wood will:
Identify, assess and manage risks arising from storage, lifting, loading, unloading and transport of goods. Provide and maintain safe premises, plant, equipment and vehicles. Ensure that staff receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Promote safe behaviours, including correct manual handling and use of personal protective equipment. Investigate incidents and near misses to prevent recurrence. Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Petts Wood has overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will:
Ensure that adequate resources are allocated to meet health and safety commitments. Set clear safety standards for both storage operations and removal services. Regularly review risk assessments and safety procedures. Make sure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities. Lead by example, demonstrating visible commitment to safe working practices. Monitor compliance through inspections, audits and reviews.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee shares responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Employees are expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, safe systems of work and instructions given by supervisors. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear in accordance with training provided. Report accidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe conditions immediately. Refrain from using any machinery, tools or vehicles for which they have not been trained or authorised. Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations and improvement measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Petts Wood conducts regular risk assessments for all key activities, including storage operations, removals, packing, loading, unloading and transportation. These assessments identify potential hazards such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling injuries, vehicle movements, falling objects and fire risks. Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work, including clear procedures for stacking items, securing loads, using lifting equipment and operating vehicles within our premises and on removal assignments.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our removal and storage services. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Petts Wood will:
Provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques. Encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, lifting aids and team lifts whenever appropriate. Plan tasks to minimise excessive lifting, awkward postures and repetitive movements. Maintain lifting and handling equipment in good working order through regular inspections.
Employees must never attempt to lift or move loads that are beyond their capability, and must always seek assistance or use equipment when required. Any defects in equipment must be reported immediately and the item taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
For removal services, the safe use of vehicles is essential. Storage Petts Wood will ensure that:
Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate. Loads are properly secured to prevent movement during transit. Route planning takes account of time, distance and potential hazards. Safe loading and unloading procedures are followed at all locations.
Drivers and crew members must follow all road traffic laws, drive considerately and avoid any activity that could impair their ability to drive safely.
Workplace Safety and Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is critical to safety in storage areas and during removals. Storage Petts Wood will keep walkways, loading bays and stairways clear and well lit, ensure that goods are stacked securely and not above safe heights, and maintain clear emergency access routes at all times. Spillages, obstructions and damaged fixtures must be addressed promptly to reduce the risk of injury.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Petts Wood maintains appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment and ensures that emergency exits are clearly marked and accessible. Staff are briefed on fire evacuation procedures and the location of assembly points. Regular checks of fire safety systems and periodic drills are carried out to ensure everyone knows how to respond in an emergency, whether in our storage facilities or when undertaking removal work at customer premises.
Training, Information and Consultation
We recognise that competent and informed staff are vital to maintaining a safe environment. Storage Petts Wood will provide induction training for new employees covering key health and safety topics, with additional role-specific training for those involved in removals, driving and equipment operation. Refresher training will be provided where necessary and whenever procedures or equipment change. Employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns and suggestions, and we will consult with staff on changes that may affect their health and safety.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Storage Petts Wood will record these events, investigate underlying causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents will be reported to relevant authorities in line with applicable health and safety regulations.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
Storage Petts Wood will monitor performance against this Health and Safety Policy through regular inspections, audits and reviews of incident records. The policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, to legislation or to industry best practice. Updates will be communicated to all employees so that the policy remains effective, relevant and understood.
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the commitment of Storage Petts Wood to safeguarding the wellbeing of all those who work with us or use our storage and removal services.
