Storage Waterloo Health and Safety Policy
Storage Waterloo is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage and removal related services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, managing risks, and promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing in every aspect of our operations.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is integral to the success of our business. It supports the protection of people, property, and customer possessions, and ensures a consistent and professional standard of service across our storage and removal activities.
Policy Aims and Scope
This policy applies to all employees of Storage Waterloo, as well as contractors and any other persons who may be affected by our work or present on our premises, including customers accessing storage units or preparing items for collection and delivery.
The aims of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety requirements, continually improve our safety performance, and provide safe systems of work for storage, handling, loading, unloading, and associated removal services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Waterloo has overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will provide visible leadership, allocate adequate resources for safety, and ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to identify, assess, and control risks.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff understand and follow safety procedures, that risk assessments are carried out and kept up to date, and that any incidents, near misses, or hazards are reported, recorded, and investigated in a timely manner.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee at Storage Waterloo has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow all safety instructions, report hazards promptly, and cooperate fully with training and supervision.
Employees are expected to use equipment correctly, refrain from horseplay or unsafe behaviour, and immediately report defective tools, vehicles, lifting equipment, or storage fittings. No employee should undertake a task unless they are competent and authorised to do so.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for key activities, including storage operations, handling of customer goods, loading and unloading vehicles, use of equipment, and movement of people and vehicles around our premises. These assessments identify significant hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are implemented based on these assessments. This may include designated walkways, restrictions on stacking heights, manual handling guidance, and specific procedures for heavy, fragile, or bulky items, such as furniture and appliances commonly handled during removals and storage.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Storage Waterloo recognises that manual handling is a key risk area in storage and removal related operations. We aim to minimise the need for manual lifting by using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and pallet trucks where reasonably practicable. Employees receive manual handling training covering correct lifting techniques, team lifts, and the identification of loads that require mechanical assistance.
All equipment, including steps, ladders, handling aids, and any lifting accessories, must only be used for their intended purpose and in accordance with instructions. Equipment is regularly checked and maintained, and any defective items are removed from service until repaired or replaced.
Safe Storage, Stacking, and Housekeeping
To prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to goods, Storage Waterloo maintains clear standards for safe storage and stacking. Goods must be stored in a stable manner, with heavier items at lower levels and lighter or fragile items above. Stacking heights are controlled to maintain stability and avoid risk of collapse.
Good housekeeping is essential for safety. Aisles, walkways, loading bays, and exits must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Spillages are cleaned up promptly, and waste materials are disposed of in designated areas. Any hazards, such as damaged racking or uneven flooring, must be reported without delay.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Where vehicles operate on or near our premises in connection with storage or removal services, Storage Waterloo implements traffic management measures to reduce risk. This includes clear signage, designated loading areas, and, where appropriate, separation between vehicle routes and pedestrian walkways.
Drivers and staff involved in loading and unloading activities must follow safe procedures, including securing loads, using appropriate restraints, and avoiding climbing on vehicles or loads. Reversing is controlled as far as reasonably practicable, and additional care is taken when operating in restricted spaces.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Waterloo maintains fire safety arrangements appropriate to the nature of the premises and stored goods. This includes provision of suitable fire detection, alarm systems, and fire fighting equipment, as well as clearly marked escape routes and exits kept free from obstruction.
Emergency procedures cover evacuation, assembly points, and communication of information to staff, contractors, and visitors. Employees receive instruction on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency, and drills are carried out at appropriate intervals to ensure that procedures are understood and effective.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with health and safety training relevant to their role, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where needed. Topics may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, fire safety, and specific procedures relating to storage and removal activities.
Clear information on safety rules, signage, and safe working practices is provided across our facility. Supervision is proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of staff, ensuring that tasks are carried out safely and in accordance with this policy.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Waterloo encourages staff to raise health and safety concerns, offer suggestions for improvement, and participate in discussions on safety matters. Constructive feedback helps us identify new risks, refine procedures, and continuously improve our health and safety performance.
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored, reviewed regularly, and updated where necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation, or best practice. By working together, we aim to maintain a safe, secure, and well managed environment for everyone involved in our storage and removal related services.
