Storage Archway Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements that Storage Archway follows to maintain a safe environment for employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. It applies to all activities carried out in connection with our storage facilities and removal services, including handling, loading, unloading, transporting, and storing customers possessions.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
Storage Archway is committed to providing and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions. We aim to prevent accidents, protect property, and promote the wellbeing of everyone who works with us or uses our services. We recognise that effective health and safety management supports the quality and reliability of our storage and removals operations.
We will regularly review this policy and our procedures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the nature and scale of our activities and reflect best practice in the storage and removal industry.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management. They ensure that suitable resources are allocated to implement this policy and that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision making.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation. This includes communicating safe working practices, monitoring adherence to procedures, arranging appropriate training, and addressing identified risks promptly.
Every employee, contractor, and agency worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow the guidance, training, and safe systems of work provided by Storage Archway and must report hazards, accidents, incidents, or near misses immediately to their manager.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Archway carries out regular risk assessments across all areas of operation, including storage facilities, loading bays, vehicles, and customer access areas. We identify potential hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working at height, vehicle movements, and use of equipment.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, we implement control measures to reduce them to as low as reasonably practicable. These may include safe systems of work, mechanical aids, personal protective equipment, traffic management plans, and physical safeguards.
Risk assessments and procedures are reviewed periodically and following any significant change in operations, equipment, or layout, or following any incident that suggests existing controls may be inadequate.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Given the nature of our storage and removal services, special emphasis is placed on safe manual handling. Staff are trained to assess loads, plan lifts, use correct posture, and work in teams where appropriate. Heavy, awkward, or bulky items are handled with suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, or lifting aids wherever possible.
We avoid unsafe practices such as overreaching, twisting while carrying loads, or exceeding individual capability. Any concerns about the safety of handling a particular item must be raised with a supervisor before the work is carried out.
Vehicle and Site Safety
Storage Archway operates vehicles used for removal and transport services. All vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, and pre use checks are completed by drivers. Only authorised and appropriately trained personnel may drive company vehicles.
Loading and unloading areas are managed to minimise risks to pedestrians and other road users. This includes clear loading plans where practical, the use of reversing aids or guides when manoeuvring, and careful securing of loads to prevent movement or damage in transit.
On site, we maintain clear access routes, signage, and designated parking or loading zones to reduce the risk of collisions and congestion.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We strive to keep all storage and operational areas clean, tidy, and free from unnecessary obstructions. Good housekeeping helps prevent slips, trips, and falls, which are common causes of workplace accidents.
Spillages must be reported and cleaned promptly, waste materials disposed of in appropriate containers, and walkways kept clear at all times. Any damaged flooring, steps, ramps, or lighting must be reported without delay.
Equipment, Plant, and Maintenance
All tools, lifting aids, and equipment used in storage and removal operations must be suitable for their purpose and properly maintained. Inspections and servicing are carried out in line with manufacturer recommendations and relevant guidance.
Employees must not use any equipment for which they have not been trained or authorised. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of use and reported immediately so that it can be repaired or replaced.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Archway provides appropriate health and safety training for all employees based on their roles and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling instruction, safe vehicle operation, equipment use, emergency procedures, and specific guidance on storage and removals best practice.
Information on hazards, safe systems of work, and emergency arrangements is communicated clearly and updated as needed. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that training is applied and that standards are maintained.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible so that they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve our controls. We encourage open reporting and do not tolerate any form of victimisation for raising genuine safety concerns.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious incidents, and other foreseeable events. These procedures cover evacuation routes, assembly points, and communication arrangements. Fire exits and emergency equipment must be kept accessible at all times.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We are committed to providing a safe environment for customers and visitors to our storage facilities. Visitors must comply with all safety signage, instructions from staff, and any restrictions on access to operational areas.
Customers are responsible for packing their goods safely, using suitable containers, and avoiding prohibited or dangerous items. Hazardous materials, flammable liquids, explosives, and any other unsafe goods must not be brought into our storage or removal systems.
Continuous Improvement
Storage Archway continually seeks opportunities to improve health and safety performance. We review incident data, feedback from staff and customers, and changes in best practice to refine our procedures and training. Everyone associated with our business is encouraged to contribute suggestions for safer ways of working.
By working together to uphold this Health and Safety Policy, we support a secure and professional storage and removals service for all.
