Storage Bankside Health and Safety Policy
Storage Bankside is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors and contractors using our storage facilities and related removal services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks and promoting a culture of safe working at all times.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our activities and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards. Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety, and every employee is required to support and implement this policy in their daily work.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning, decision making and operational practices, particularly in relation to storage operations, handling of goods and removal services.
Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to identify, assess and control health and safety risks. This includes providing adequate resources, competent personnel and clear lines of accountability.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that employees and contractors under their control understand and follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly and report any hazards or incidents immediately. They are required to conduct regular checks of storage areas, loading bays, vehicles and handling equipment to confirm that standards are maintained.
Employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must co operate with Storage Bankside in implementing this policy, follow training and instructions, use protective equipment where required and report unsafe conditions without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Bankside identifies and evaluates the risks associated with its storage facilities and removal operations, including the movement, lifting and transportation of goods. Formal risk assessments are carried out and reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment or premises.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to all relevant personnel. These procedures cover activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, operating manual and mechanical handling equipment, stacking and retrieving items in storage units and working in shared access areas.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key element of storage and removal activities. Storage Bankside is committed to reducing the risk of injury by avoiding hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, and by using appropriate equipment and safe techniques where handling cannot be avoided.
Employees and contractors involved in lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads receive training on correct posture, team lifting, assessment of weight and stability, and the use of trolleys and lifting aids. Only authorised and trained personnel are permitted to operate mechanical handling equipment such as pallet trucks or lifting devices, and such equipment is inspected and maintained at appropriate intervals.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Our operations may involve the use of vehicles for removal and transport services, as well as customer access vehicles entering and leaving our premises. Storage Bankside manages traffic risks by controlling vehicle movements, designating loading and unloading areas and using clear signage and markings where applicable.
Drivers must follow all site rules, drive at safe speeds and ensure loads are secured and distributed correctly to prevent movement or falling items. Pedestrian routes are separated from vehicle operating areas where reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of collision or injury.
Premises, Housekeeping and Fire Safety
Storage Bankside maintains its premises in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Good housekeeping is essential to prevent slips, trips and falls and to keep escape routes and access ways clear. Items must be stored safely, with heavier items placed at a suitable height and stacks kept stable and within specified limits.
Fire safety arrangements include appropriate means of detection and warning, clearly signed escape routes and regular checks on fire safety equipment. Employees are briefed on fire procedures, including evacuation arrangements and assembly points. Obstructions to exits and fire equipment are not permitted and are removed immediately if identified.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
Certain items and substances present risks to health and safety within a storage and removal environment. Storage Bankside restricts or prohibits the storage and transport of materials that may be flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic or otherwise hazardous, except where explicitly assessed and controlled.
Customers are informed of the types of goods that cannot be stored or moved using our services. Employees and contractors must not handle or transport any item they believe to be unsafe without first seeking guidance from management.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Bankside provides information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure staff and contractors can carry out their tasks safely and in compliance with this policy. Induction training covers general health and safety requirements, emergency procedures and key risks associated with storage and removal activities.
Further role specific training is provided where necessary, including manual handling, safe stacking and loading techniques, use of equipment and incident reporting. Training is refreshed at suitable intervals and whenever work methods or equipment change significantly.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses on our premises or arising from our activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. Storage Bankside investigates these events to determine root causes and to implement corrective and preventive measures.
Records of accidents and incidents are maintained and reviewed regularly to identify patterns and areas for improvement. Where required, certain incidents may be reported to relevant authorities in line with legal obligations.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Bankside recognises that effective health and safety management is an ongoing process. We encourage employees to raise concerns and suggestions for improving safety within our storage and removal operations. Consultation may take place through meetings, briefings or direct discussions with supervisors and managers.
This policy and the associated procedures are reviewed periodically to ensure they remain effective, relevant and aligned with current legal requirements and industry best practice. Revisions are communicated to employees and, where appropriate, to contractors.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is approved by senior management and is reviewed at regular intervals, or following significant changes to our operations, to ensure it continues to reflect the needs and risks associated with Storage Bankside and the services we provide.
