Storage Harlesden Health and Safety Policy
Storage Harlesden is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling of goods, and related removal and transport services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health through effective planning, monitoring, and continuous improvement. We aim to integrate health and safety into all business decisions, with particular attention to manual handling, vehicle movements, loading and unloading operations, use of storage units, and associated office and yard activities.
We will ensure that health and safety responsibilities are clearly defined, that appropriate resources are provided, and that safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and reviewed regularly.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Harlesden has overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will provide leadership by:
Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety laws and recognised industry standards. Providing and maintaining safe premises, plant, and equipment, including storage units, loading areas, and vehicles used in connection with our services. Identifying significant hazards and implementing effective control measures. Ensuring that employees receive adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision. Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implementing corrective actions. Reviewing this policy regularly to confirm it remains suitable, effective, and up to date.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have an important role in maintaining a safe workplace. Employees are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided by Storage Harlesden. Correctly use equipment, tools, vehicles, and personal protective equipment supplied for their safety. Report hazards, defects, accidents, incidents, and near misses to management without delay. Refrain from any dangerous or reckless behaviour, including the misuse of equipment or ignoring safety rules.
Cooperation and active participation by every member of staff are essential to maintaining a safe environment in storage areas, offices, and during any associated removal and transport work.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Harlesden conducts regular risk assessments to identify hazards arising from our operations, including but not limited to:
Manual handling of boxes, furniture, and heavy or bulky items. Use of trolleys, handling equipment, and lifting aids. Vehicle movements in yards, loading bays, and access roads. Work at height, including the use of steps or platforms to access stored goods. Slips, trips, and falls, particularly in loading areas and corridors. Fire and emergency situations within storage premises.
Appropriate control measures are implemented to reduce risks to as low as is reasonably practicable, and safe systems of work are documented and communicated to all relevant staff.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Given the nature of storage and removal-related activities, manual handling is a key area of focus. Storage Harlesden will:
Provide guidance on safe lifting techniques and correct body posture. Supply suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, and pallet equipment where appropriate. Ensure that heavy or awkward loads are assessed before lifting and that team lifting is used when required. Prohibit unsafe practices such as overloading, improper stacking, or using damaged equipment.
All equipment and vehicles used in connection with our services will be maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals.
Customers, Contractors, and Visitors
Storage Harlesden recognises its duty of care towards customers, contractors, and visitors. We will:
Ensure that public and customer areas are kept as safe as reasonably practicable. Provide clear guidance on safe use of storage units, corridors, loading bays, and access routes. Require contractors working on site to follow our safety rules and provide evidence of their own safety arrangements. Clearly signpost emergency exits, assembly points, and any restricted or high-risk areas.
Customers and visitors must follow all safety notices and instructions given by staff and must not enter staff-only or restricted areas without authorisation.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their role. This may include induction training, manual handling instruction, fire safety awareness, safe vehicle and equipment use, and specific training for higher-risk activities.
Training will be refreshed periodically and when changes are made to equipment, procedures, or legislation. Supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring that employees understand and follow safety procedures during storage operations and any related removal and transport tasks.
Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety
Storage Harlesden maintains clear procedures for dealing with emergencies, including fire, accidents, and other incidents. We will:
Provide and maintain fire detection and firefighting equipment as required. Display clear instructions for evacuation and emergency assembly points. Conduct regular checks of emergency routes, exits, and signage. Ensure staff are trained in emergency procedures and the use of firefighting equipment where appropriate.
All persons on site must familiarise themselves with emergency routes and follow staff instructions immediately in the event of an alarm.
Monitoring, Audit, and Policy Review
We monitor our health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, and reviews of incidents and near misses. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be implemented promptly.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, facilities, or legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to employees and made available to customers, contractors, and visitors on request.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Storage Harlesden is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. By working together, we aim to maintain safe storage premises and associated removal-related services, protect the wellbeing of everyone who interacts with our business, and uphold a strong culture of safety, responsibility, and care.
