Storage North Harrow Health and Safety Policy
Storage North Harrow is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, visitors, employees and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we follow across our storage facilities and associated removal and transport services. We aim to prevent accidents, protect property and promote safe working practices in all areas of our operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aim of this policy is to manage health and safety risks effectively and to foster a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our objectives are to identify hazards, assess risks and implement sensible measures to control those risks in our storage units, loading bays, offices and vehicles.
We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance, with regular review of our procedures, training and equipment to ensure they remain suitable and effective for our storage and removal activities.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage North Harrow has overall responsibility for health and safety across the business. This includes ensuring adequate resources, training and supervision are in place to implement this policy. Management will set clear safety standards and make sure they are communicated and understood by all employees.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of safe systems of work. They must identify hazards in their areas, carry out and record risk assessments where appropriate, and ensure that any necessary control measures are in place and maintained. This includes checks on handling equipment, lifting aids, vehicles, access routes and storage areas.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Storage North Harrow have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly and cooperate fully with all health and safety procedures and training.
Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, defective equipment or unsafe conditions to their manager without delay. Where personal protective equipment is provided for specific tasks, it must be used as instructed and kept in good condition.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We welcome customers and visitors to our storage facilities and aim to keep them safe while on site. Access areas, corridors and loading zones are kept as clear as reasonably practicable, with appropriate lighting and signage to support safe movement through the building.
Customers using storage units or arranging removal services are expected to follow any safety guidance provided by our staff. This may include instructions on loading goods, weight limits for items, safe use of trolleys or sack trucks, and restrictions on items that cannot be stored or transported for safety reasons.
Safe Storage and Handling of Goods
Safe storage and handling are central to our operations. We take care to store goods in a way that minimises the risk of collapse, falls from height, trips and manual handling injuries. Racking, shelving and storage units are used according to their rated capacity, and staff are trained to stack items securely and safely.
When providing removal or transport services, our teams follow safe lifting and carrying techniques, use appropriate handling equipment and, where necessary, work in teams to manage larger or heavier items. Customers are encouraged to pack items securely, label boxes clearly and avoid overloading containers to support safe movement and storage.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
For the safety of all users of our facilities, certain items may not be stored or transported. These typically include flammable substances, explosives, compressed gases, toxic chemicals, perishable food items, live animals and any illegal goods. We may also restrict storage of items that are excessively heavy, unstable or otherwise hazardous to staff, customers or the building.
Our team can advise customers on safe alternatives, appropriate packaging and any specific restrictions that apply to storage units or removal services. Compliance with these requirements is essential to maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage North Harrow maintains fire safety measures appropriate to our premises and services. This may include fire detection and alarm systems, clearly signed fire exits, emergency lighting and suitably located fire extinguishers. Exits and escape routes are kept unobstructed so that people can leave the building quickly and safely in an emergency.
All employees receive instruction on emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm, how to assist customers and visitors, and where to assemble once outside. Fire drills and checks of fire safety equipment are undertaken at appropriate intervals. Customers and visitors must follow staff directions during any emergency or evacuation.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of both storage and removal work. We aim to reduce the risk of injury by planning tasks, using mechanical aids where available and providing training in safe lifting and handling techniques. Staff are instructed to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward to manage safely.
Equipment such as trolleys, sack trucks, platform trucks, lifting aids and vehicle loading systems is maintained and inspected regularly. Only trained and authorised employees may operate specialist equipment. Customers are encouraged to use provided trolleys safely and return them to designated areas when finished.
Vehicle, Loading and Traffic Safety
Where vehicles are used for removal and transport services, we operate them safely and responsibly. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws and adhere to company procedures for loading, securing and unloading goods. Vehicles are subject to regular checks and maintenance to keep them in safe working condition.
On site, traffic routes for vehicles and pedestrians are planned to minimise risk. Loading areas are managed to avoid congestion and unsafe reversing or manoeuvring. Customers and visitors must follow any site rules, markings or instructions from staff regarding parking and loading activities.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses on our premises or during our removal operations must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Records are kept so that we can identify patterns and take steps to prevent similar events in future.
Where necessary, we will carry out an investigation to understand the immediate and underlying causes of an incident. Findings may lead to changes in procedures, additional training, improved equipment or other preventive measures.
Information, Instruction and Training
We provide employees with relevant information, instruction and training on health and safety matters. This may include induction training for new employees, task specific training for storage and removal activities, refreshers where needed, and communication of changes to procedures or equipment.
Information for customers and visitors is provided through signage, verbal guidance from staff and written materials where appropriate. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that important safety information is clear and accessible to all users of our facilities and services.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage North Harrow regularly monitors its health and safety performance through inspections, audits and review of incident reports. This allows us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that our arrangements remain suitable for our storage and removal operations.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and updated when necessary, for example following changes in our services, working practices or legal requirements. All employees are made aware of any significant changes and are expected to follow the updated procedures.
Policy Commitment
Storage North Harrow is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone who works at or uses our storage facilities and removal services. By working together, following the guidance in this policy and reporting concerns promptly, we can reduce risk, prevent accidents and support a culture of safety and care throughout our operations.
