Storage Soho Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage Soho manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removal services. We are committed to preventing injury and ill health, complying with applicable health and safety legislation, and promoting continuous improvement in all areas of our operations.
1. Policy Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work; to ensure the safe handling, storage and transport of goods; to provide clear information, instruction, supervision and training; and to foster a culture in which everyone takes responsibility for health and safety.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of planning for storage operations, movement of goods, vehicle loading and unloading, and customer access to our facilities.
2. Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Soho has overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will ensure that sufficient resources are provided to implement this policy, that appropriate risk assessments are carried out and reviewed, and that control measures are implemented and monitored.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of this policy within their areas of control. This includes ensuring staff follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, report hazards promptly, and receive appropriate training for their tasks, especially those involving lifting, carrying, vehicle movements and use of storage equipment.
3. Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees must cooperate with Storage Soho in meeting legal and policy requirements and must not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety or welfare.
All employees are expected to follow safe working procedures, use provided personal protective equipment where required, report hazards and incidents without delay, and participate in health and safety training. Staff involved in removals and handling activities must follow safe manual handling techniques at all times.
4. Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Soho undertakes regular risk assessments covering our storage facilities, removal and handling activities, and associated office functions. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risks, and determine appropriate control measures.
Safe systems of work will be established and communicated for key activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, use of trolleys and handling equipment, stacking and retrieving stored items, working in corridors and loading bays, and operating within shared access areas. These procedures will be reviewed periodically and whenever changes to operations or equipment occur.
5. Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Manual handling is a core part of our operations and will be managed to minimise the risk of injury. Storage Soho will provide training on safe lifting, carrying, team handling and the use of mechanical aids such as trolleys and dollies.
Where possible, loads will be reduced in weight, packaging will be improved to provide secure handholds, and handling routes will be kept clear and well lit. Staff will be encouraged to plan lifts, seek assistance for heavy or awkward items, and stop any task they believe to be unsafe.
6. Workplace and Storage Area Safety
Storage and circulation areas will be maintained in a safe condition. Aisles, stairways and fire exits must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Floors will be kept as dry and even as reasonably practicable, and any spillages will be cleaned promptly.
Racking and stacking systems will be used within their specified load limits and inspected regularly for damage. Items will be stacked securely to prevent collapse. Lighting will be adequate for all working and access areas, including loading bays and access routes used during early or late hours.
7. Vehicles, Loading and Traffic Management
Where vehicles are used in connection with our removal services, Storage Soho will ensure they are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition and are suitable for the loads they carry. Loading and unloading will be conducted in a controlled manner, using appropriate equipment and observing weight limits.
Traffic routes in and around our premises will be clearly defined where reasonably practicable. Reversing manoeuvres will be minimised, and where necessary a competent person should act as a guide. Customers and visitors will be kept separate from vehicle movements as far as is reasonably possible.
8. Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Soho will maintain suitable fire detection and alarm arrangements and provide appropriate fire fighting equipment. Fire evacuation procedures will be clearly displayed and communicated to staff, and drills will be carried out periodically.
Emergency exits will be kept clear and unlocked while the premises are occupied. Staff will receive training on emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and the procedure for accounting for persons on site.
9. Welfare, First Aid and Incident Reporting
Appropriate welfare facilities such as toilets, washing facilities and rest areas will be provided and maintained in a hygienic condition. Adequate first aid provision, including trained first aiders and first aid supplies, will be available during operating hours.
All accidents, near misses and hazardous incidents must be reported and recorded. Storage Soho will investigate incidents to determine causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence, sharing lessons learned across the organisation.
10. Training, Communication and Consultation
Storage Soho will provide induction training to all new employees covering health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures and relevant workplace hazards. Additional task specific training will be provided for roles involving manual handling, vehicle use, equipment operation and supervision of others.
Health and safety information will be communicated through briefings, signage and written procedures. Employees will be consulted on health and safety matters that affect them and encouraged to raise suggestions for improvement.
11. Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy will be monitored through workplace inspections, audits, incident analysis and review of training and maintenance records. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be taken promptly.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations, industry standards or organisational structure. All revisions will be communicated to employees and implemented as part of Storage Soho's ongoing commitment to a safe and healthy working environment.
