Storage Beddington Health and Safety Policy
Storage Beddington is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, visitors, and contractors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage and removals operations, including packing, lifting, loading, transportation, and unloading activities.
Policy Statement
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise risks arising from our activities. Health and safety considerations are integral to how we plan jobs, operate our facilities, and provide removal and storage services.
Senior management holds overall responsibility for health and safety, but every individual working for or with Storage Beddington has a duty to act safely and to support the aims of this policy.
Legal Compliance and Continuous Improvement
Storage Beddington will comply with all applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry standards relevant to storage, removals and related services. We will review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or in relevant legislation.
We are committed to continuously improving our health and safety performance by monitoring incidents, near misses, and customer feedback, and by reviewing our procedures to prevent recurrence.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing suitable resources, and ensuring that effective procedures are in place for risk assessment, incident reporting, and staff training.
Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that day-to-day operations are carried out in line with this policy, that staff follow safe systems of work, and that any hazards or unsafe practices are promptly addressed.
Employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, accidents, and near misses without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will identify and assess risks associated with storage and removal activities, including manual handling, working in confined or restricted spaces, vehicle movements, use of equipment, and handling of customers belongings.
Risk assessments will inform safe systems of work and method statements for tasks such as packing, lifting, carrying, loading vehicles, securing loads, and moving items within storage facilities. These procedures will be communicated clearly to all relevant staff.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
As a removal and storage business, manual handling is a core activity. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:
Provide training on correct lifting techniques and safe team handling methods. Plan tasks to minimise unnecessary lifting and carrying. Use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and lifting equipment where appropriate. Assess the weight, shape, and condition of items before lifting and refuse to move items that pose unacceptable risk. Encourage employees to speak up if they believe a task cannot be done safely.
Vehicles, Driving and Site Movements
Our vehicles will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, and all drivers must hold the appropriate licences and follow road safety rules. Loads must be properly distributed and secured before vehicles move off.
At storage sites and customer premises, vehicle movements will be planned to reduce reversing where possible. Where reversing cannot be avoided, banksmen or spotters should be used when available, and extra care must be taken in areas where pedestrians are present.
Workplace Safety and Housekeeping
Storage areas, loading bays, corridors, stairways, and access routes must be kept clear of obstructions, spillages, and unnecessary trip hazards. Good housekeeping is essential to avoid accidents and property damage.
Lighting in operational areas should be adequate for safe movement and handling of goods. Any damage to racking, doors, floors, or other structural elements must be reported so that appropriate remedial action can be taken.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
All equipment and tools used in our storage and removal activities will be selected, inspected, and maintained to ensure they are suitable and safe. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used and should be removed from service pending repair or replacement.
Where personal protective equipment is required, such as safety footwear, gloves, or high-visibility clothing, it will be provided and must be worn and maintained in accordance with instructions.
Training, Information and Supervision
Employees will receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering health and safety responsibilities, safe lifting and handling, use of equipment, emergency procedures, and site-specific rules.
Information on hazards and safe practices will be communicated through briefings, written instructions, and signage where required. Supervision will be provided to ensure that safe systems of work are understood and followed, particularly for new or inexperienced staff.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards must be reported promptly so that they can be investigated and corrective actions taken. Records will be kept to help identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Emergency procedures for fire, first aid, evacuation, and other foreseeable incidents will be established and communicated. Staff will be made aware of assembly points, escape routes, and the location of emergency equipment within our premises.
Visitors, Customers and Contractors
We will take reasonable steps to ensure that visitors, customers, and contractors are not exposed to unacceptable risks while on our premises or while our teams are working at their locations.
Visitors and customers must follow safety instructions provided by our staff and should keep clear of active loading and handling areas unless authorised and supervised.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with our operations. Changes will be communicated to all relevant parties, and updated procedures will be implemented as required.
Storage Beddington expects everyone connected with our business to support and uphold this policy so that we can provide safe, reliable storage and removal services for all.
