Health and Safety Policy for Storage Surrey Quays
Storage Surrey Quays is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and associated removal and handling activities. We aim to prevent accidents, protect property, and reduce risks arising from our operations.
Policy Statement
We recognise our responsibility to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and to promote best practice at all times. Our objective is to conduct all storage, loading, unloading, and removal-related activities in a way that protects people from harm and maintains a safe working environment.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and decision-making, whether we are managing long-term storage, short-term storage, or collection and delivery of goods.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management holds overall responsibility for the implementation and ongoing review of this policy. They ensure that adequate resources are allocated for health and safety, including training, equipment, and supervision. Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
• Ensuring safe systems of work are established, communicated, and maintained.
• Identifying hazards associated with storage units, loading bays, and vehicles.
• Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for storage and removal services.
• Ensuring staff are competent to carry out their duties safely.
• Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action where required.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have 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. Employees are expected to:
• Follow safe working procedures, instructions, and training provided.
• Use equipment, vehicles, and safety devices correctly and responsibly.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards without delay.
• Cooperate with management to enable compliance with legal and company requirements.
• Avoid unsafe practices, including overloading trolleys or vehicles and improper manual handling.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Surrey Quays is committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can access and use our facilities safely. We:
• Provide clear signage for access routes, emergency exits, and restricted areas.
• Maintain tidy corridors, stairwells, and loading areas to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
• Control vehicle movements in loading zones to minimise collision risks.
• Offer guidance on safe storage of items within units and safe use of handling equipment provided.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We undertake risk assessments for key activities, including storage operations, movement of goods, loading and unloading vehicles, and any associated removal services. Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work, which may include:
• Defined procedures for manual handling and use of trolleys and pallet equipment.
• Rules for maximum load weights, stacking heights, and safe positioning of items.
• Procedures for the safe movement and parking of vehicles in loading areas.
• Emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, and other incidents.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly, particularly when there are changes to layout, equipment, or operational procedures.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of storage and removal activities. To reduce the risk of strain and injury, we:
• Provide training on safe lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling techniques.
• Encourage staff and customers to use trolleys and other handling aids for heavy or bulky items.
• Advise against single-person lifting of loads that are too heavy or awkward.
• Maintain handling equipment in good condition and remove defective items from use promptly.
Vehicle and Loading Area Safety
Where removal vehicles or customer vehicles are used in connection with our storage services, we manage loading areas to promote safety. This includes:
• Clear marking of loading zones and pedestrian walkways where applicable.
• Ensuring loading areas are kept free from unnecessary obstacles and spillages.
• Safe loading practices to prevent falls from height, falling objects, and vehicle movement incidents.
• Advising drivers and customers on safe parking and manoeuvring while on site.
Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
We implement fire safety measures proportionate to our operations. These include:
• Providing and maintaining appropriate fire detection and fire-fighting equipment.
• Keeping escape routes clearly signed and unobstructed at all times.
• Displaying instructions for what to do in the event of a fire or emergency.
• Carrying out periodic checks and drills as appropriate to ensure awareness of procedures.
Hazardous and Prohibited Items
To protect the safety of everyone on site, we restrict storage of items that may present a fire, explosion, contamination, or injury risk. Customers are informed that they must not store:
• Explosives, flammable or volatile substances, or compressed gases.
• Dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials.
• Illegal goods or items that may attract vermin or create hygiene issues.
Staff are trained to recognise potential risks and to follow internal procedures if prohibited or unsafe items are suspected.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We ensure that employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training, particularly in respect of manual handling, safe storage practices, emergency procedures, and use of any equipment relevant to their role. We provide clear information and instructions, and we supervise work activities to confirm that safety standards are being maintained.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur on our premises or during related removal activities must be reported promptly. We investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and to implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are used to improve procedures, training, and risk controls.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This policy is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date with operational changes and legal requirements. We seek feedback from staff and, where relevant, from customers and contractors to improve our approach to health and safety. Our goal is to achieve continual improvement in safety performance across all aspects of our storage and removal-related services.
This Health and Safety policy applies to all staff, customers, and visitors at Storage Surrey Quays and to all activities connected with our storage and associated removal operations.
