Storage Teddington Health and Safety Policy
Storage Teddington is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removals-related services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, promoting safe working practices and complying with applicable health and safety legislation and guidance.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the quality of our storage and removal operations and to the wellbeing of everyone on our premises or working on our behalf. All work activities, including packing, lifting, moving, loading, unloading and storing items, are planned and monitored with safety as a priority.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
Storage Teddington is committed to:
Identifying, assessing and controlling health and safety risks arising from our activities, including storage, handling and transportation of goods.
Providing and maintaining safe premises, vehicles, equipment and systems of work for storage and removals-related tasks.
Ensuring that employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision so they can work safely and competently.
Consulting with employees on matters affecting their health and safety and encouraging feedback on how we can improve.
Preventing accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through proactive risk management and continuous improvement.
Reviewing this policy regularly and updating it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or our operations.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with senior management at Storage Teddington. They ensure that adequate resources are made available to support the implementation of this policy and that health and safety considerations are integrated into business planning and decision making.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control. This includes carrying out risk assessments, ensuring safe working practices are followed, arranging training and monitoring compliance with procedures.
All employees have a personal responsibility to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents without delay and cooperate fully with any health and safety measures introduced by the company.
Contractors working on our behalf are required to comply with this policy and all relevant health and safety requirements. They must ensure their work does not put themselves, our staff, customers or visitors at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Teddington carries out regular risk assessments for key activities, including storage operations, manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, the use of lifting equipment and general site safety. These assessments are used to identify hazards, evaluate risks and put in place suitable control measures.
Safe systems of work are developed for tasks such as handling large or heavy items, using trolleys and lifting aids, stacking and racking goods, working around vehicles and operating in shared access areas. Employees receive instructions on these systems and are expected to follow them at all times.
We pay particular attention to layout, housekeeping and access routes within storage areas to minimise the risk of slips, trips, falls and collisions. Aisles, fire exits and emergency access points must be kept clear and well marked.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removals work. Storage Teddington is committed to reducing the risk of injury associated with lifting, carrying and moving goods.
Where reasonably practicable, mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment are used to reduce manual effort. Employees receive training on safe lifting techniques, load assessment and team lifting. No one is required to lift or carry loads that are beyond their capability or that present an unacceptable risk.
Customers are encouraged to pack items in a way that facilitates safe handling, for example by using appropriate boxes, avoiding overloading containers and clearly marking fragile or heavy items where possible.
Equipment, Vehicles and Maintenance
All equipment used in storage and removals-related work, including handling aids, racking and vehicles, is selected, inspected and maintained with safety in mind. Regular checks are carried out in accordance with manufacturer guidance and applicable legislation.
Any defects, damage or malfunctions must be reported immediately so that prompt corrective action can be taken. Defective equipment is taken out of service until it can be repaired or replaced.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Teddington ensures that employees receive appropriate health and safety training for their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle and driving safety, fire safety and emergency procedures.
Training needs are reviewed regularly, and refresher training is provided when required or when tasks, equipment or procedures change. Clear information and instructions are provided through briefings, signs and written procedures.
Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that safety procedures are followed and that any unsafe behaviours or conditions are identified and corrected.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is an essential part of our operations. We maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, ensure that escape routes and exits are clearly signed and unobstructed and provide information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Employees receive training on evacuation procedures, assembly points and the use of fire extinguishers where relevant. Regular checks and tests are carried out on fire safety systems, and evacuation arrangements are reviewed as part of our ongoing risk management.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Teddington aims to provide a safe environment for customers and visitors when they are on our premises. We manage access to storage areas, maintain clear signage and give guidance on safe conduct within the facility.
Customers are asked to observe site rules, drive and park safely, follow any instructions provided by staff and report hazards or incidents they become aware of. Children must be supervised at all times on site.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. This enables us to investigate what happened, take remedial action and prevent recurrence.
Records of incidents and investigations are kept and reviewed to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement. Where required, reporting obligations to relevant authorities are followed.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage Teddington is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We review our procedures, training, risk assessments and incident data regularly to ensure that lessons are learned and improvements are implemented.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our activities, services or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to employees and made available to customers and interested parties on request.
By working together and following this policy, we aim to maintain a safe, professional and responsible storage and removals-related service for everyone who uses or works with Storage Teddington.
