Storage Honor Oak Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy explains how Storage Honor Oak manages safety for customers, employees, contractors and visitors across our storage facilities and removal operations. Our aim is to provide secure, clean and well managed premises, and to ensure that lifting, loading, transport and handling activities are carried out safely and responsibly.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
Storage Honor Oak is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all storage and removal services. We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment through sensible risk management, good housekeeping and safe working practices.
We will regularly review this policy, update our procedures when necessary and make sure that health and safety considerations are central to how we operate our storage facilities and removal services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring that effective systems are in place to manage risk. This includes providing appropriate resources, setting safety objectives and monitoring performance. Managers will make sure that employees are competent to carry out their work and that they follow the safe systems of work set out in our procedures.
Management will also ensure that risk assessments are completed, kept up to date and communicated clearly to those who may be affected. Where significant risks are identified, suitable control measures will be introduced and supervised.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their work. Employees must cooperate fully with Storage Honor Oak in meeting legal and company requirements.
Employees are expected to follow all safety instructions, attend relevant training, use equipment correctly, report hazards and incidents promptly, and refrain from any acts that could endanger themselves or others. Where personal protective equipment is provided, employees must use it as instructed and keep it in good condition.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors to our storage facilities and sites must follow safety signage and directions from staff. This includes observing speed limits on site, using designated walkways where provided, and loading or unloading vehicles only in the areas identified as safe to do so.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that items brought for storage are safe, appropriately packed and do not include prohibited or hazardous materials. Where customers are moving items themselves, they should use proper lifting techniques and request assistance if an item is too heavy or awkward to move alone.
Safe Use of Storage Facilities
Storage Honor Oak will maintain storage areas so that they are clean, well lit and as free as reasonably practicable from tripping, slipping and collision hazards. Aisles, stairways and access routes must be kept clear to allow for safe movement of people and goods. Fire exits and emergency routes will never be blocked.
We will ensure that structures such as racking, doors, lifts and loading bays are appropriate for their use and periodically inspected. Any damage or defect must be reported immediately so that repairs can be arranged and affected areas can be made safe.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Removals
Our removal operations involve the handling, lifting and transport of furniture, boxes and other items. To manage the risks associated with these tasks, we will plan work carefully, taking into account the size, weight and nature of items, access routes, parking and any special handling requirements.
Where practicable, manual handling will be reduced by using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment. Employees engaged in removal and loading work will receive training on correct lifting techniques to help prevent strains and other musculoskeletal injuries. Team lifting will be used for heavy or bulky items that cannot safely be moved by one person.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
We will identify hazards associated with our activities, including storage, removals, transport, maintenance and office based work. Risk assessments will be carried out to determine suitable control measures to eliminate risks where possible or reduce them to an acceptable level.
Control measures may include physical safeguards, safe systems of work, training, supervision, signage and personal protective equipment. Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and after any significant change in our operations, equipment or premises.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Honor Oak will provide and maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, such as alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting, where required. Fire exits and escape routes will be clearly marked and kept unobstructed at all times.
Employees will be instructed on fire and emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and how to report an emergency. Customers and visitors should familiarise themselves with escape routes on arrival and follow any instructions from staff during an emergency.
Work Equipment, Vehicles and Maintenance
All equipment and vehicles used in connection with storage and removal services will be suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition. This includes trolleys, lifting aids, loading ramps, and any company vehicles used for removals or transport.
Pre use checks will be carried out where appropriate and any defect, damage or malfunction will be reported immediately so items can be taken out of service if necessary. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialised equipment or vehicles.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide our employees with training and information relevant to their role, such as induction training, manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, hazard awareness and emergency procedures. Refresher training will be provided where needed, particularly when processes, premises or equipment change.
Supervision will be proportionate to the risks involved and the competence of those carrying out the work. Clear instructions will be given for tasks that carry a higher level of risk, such as complex removals, working in confined or restricted spaces, or using mechanical handling aids.
Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible so that they can be investigated and, where necessary, corrective action can be taken. This helps us learn from events and improve our safety performance.
Records of incidents and inspections will be reviewed to identify patterns, recurring issues and opportunities to improve our storage and removals operations. Where appropriate, we will revise procedures, provide additional training or introduce new controls.
Monitoring and Policy Review
Storage Honor Oak will monitor the effectiveness of this Health and Safety policy through inspections, audits, incident reviews and feedback from employees and customers. We will update the policy and related procedures when changes occur in our activities, facilities or relevant legal requirements.
This policy is made available to employees, customers, contractors and visitors so that everyone understands the standards we expect and the shared responsibilities for maintaining a safe environment in and around our storage facilities and during any associated removal services.
