Storage West Ealing Health and Safety Policy
Storage West Ealing is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk within our storage facilities and related removal activities, ensuring safe access, handling, and occupation of storage units.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls. We aim to maintain high standards of health and safety throughout our operations, including storage, loading and unloading, manual handling, and any associated removal services conducted on or from our premises.
We will review this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, and operational requirements, and to seek continual improvement in our performance.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage West Ealing holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. This includes ensuring that:
Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including storage operations, movement of goods, and use of equipment.
Safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and communicated clearly to employees and contractors.
All employees receive appropriate health and safety induction, refresher training, and supervision relevant to their roles.
Premises, storage units, plant, and equipment are maintained in safe working condition with regular inspections and, where necessary, prompt repairs.
Emergency procedures, including fire safety and evacuation arrangements, are established, maintained, and periodically tested.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees of Storage West Ealing must:
Follow all health and safety instructions, procedures, signage, and training provided.
Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions promptly to management so that corrective action can be taken.
Refrain from tampering with safety equipment or carrying out tasks for which they are not trained or authorised.
Cooperate fully with any investigation or inspection related to health and safety matters.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage and associated removal services share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. They are expected to:
Comply with signage, instructions from staff, and any site-specific safety rules, including speed limits and designated loading areas.
Ensure that items stored or handled do not include prohibited or dangerous goods, such as flammable, explosive, toxic, or otherwise hazardous materials.
Load and stack items safely within storage units and vehicles, avoiding overloading, unstable piles, or blocked access routes.
Use trolleys, lifts, and other equipment safely and return them to designated areas after use.
Report any unsafe conditions, spillages, or damage observed while on site.
Risk Management and Safe Systems of Work
Storage West Ealing identifies, evaluates, and manages risks associated with storage and removal activities. Key areas of focus include:
Safe access and egress to buildings, storage units, stairwells, lifts, corridors, and loading bays.
Manual handling of goods, with guidance on safe lifting techniques and the use of handling equipment where appropriate.
Use and maintenance of trolleys, pallet trucks, ramps, and other aids used during loading, unloading, and removal processes.
Control of fire risks through housekeeping, control of ignition sources, safe storage of permitted goods, and clearly marked escape routes.
Protection against slips, trips, and falls through prompt attention to spillages, good lighting, clear walkways, and regular site inspections.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with training and information relevant to their duties. This may include:
Health and safety inductions for new staff, covering emergency procedures, incident reporting, and local rules.
Instruction in correct manual handling techniques and the safe use of lifting aids.
Training in fire safety, including fire prevention, use of extinguishers where appropriate, and evacuation drills.
Ongoing updates and toolbox talks to reinforce safe working practices, especially for those involved in removal-related tasks and regular handling of customer goods.
Adequate supervision is provided to ensure that procedures are followed and that employees understand their responsibilities.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazardous occurrences on our premises or during associated activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. Storage West Ealing will:
Record relevant details of the incident, including what happened, where, and who was involved.
Investigate the root causes of incidents with the aim of preventing recurrence.
Implement corrective actions such as changes to procedures, additional training, or improvements to equipment and facilities.
Review trends and make reasonable adjustments to improve safety performance.
Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety
We maintain clear and simple emergency procedures designed to protect people and property. These include:
Clearly signed fire exits, escape routes, and assembly points.
Appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, inspected and maintained at regular intervals.
Instructions for staff and guidance for customers on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Regular checks to ensure that corridors, stairways, and exits remain unobstructed.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage West Ealing is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will review this policy at regular intervals, or following significant changes in operations, legislation, or after serious incidents. Input from employees, customers, and contractors is welcomed as part of our ongoing effort to ensure that our storage and removal-related services are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.
