Health and Safety Policy for Coombe Storage

Coombe Storage is committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and well-managed environment for everyone who uses our premises. This health and safety policy sets out the standards, responsibilities, and working practices that support the prevention of accidents, injuries, and property damage. It applies to employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone accessing the site for storage, handling, inspection, or maintenance purposes. Our approach is based on risk awareness, practical control measures, and a shared understanding that safety is part of everyday operations.

We recognise that storage environments can present a range of hazards, including manual handling strain, trip hazards, moving equipment, restricted access routes, and fire risks. For that reason, our storage safety policy focuses on reducing avoidable dangers before they become incidents. All personnel are expected to act responsibly, follow site rules, and report concerns promptly. This helps protect people, goods, and the wider operation of Coombe Storage.

Safety is supported through regular checks, sensible housekeeping, and clear procedures. Floors, corridors, loading areas, and shared spaces must remain free from obstructions wherever possible. Items should be stored in a stable manner, with attention to weight limits, stacking height, and access requirements. By following these principles, the site can remain efficient while also meeting the expectations of a modern health and safety management system.

Responsibilities and Standards

The company will provide and maintain safe working conditions so far as reasonably practicable. This includes carrying out suitable inspections, assessing risks, and implementing control measures where needed. All equipment used on site must be fit for purpose and maintained appropriately. Where specialist handling or maintenance is required, only competent individuals should complete the task. Unsafe behaviour is not acceptable, even when time pressures are high.

Employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others. They should use equipment correctly, follow instructions, and avoid actions that could create unnecessary risk. This includes keeping fire exits clear, respecting designated storage zones, and using approved lifting methods. A strong safety culture depends on shared responsibility rather than relying on one group alone.

Visitors and temporary workers must comply with site rules at all times. They should remain within authorised areas, follow supervision arrangements where required, and raise any uncertainty before beginning work. Induction information will be provided as appropriate so that people understand the main hazards, emergency arrangements, and behaviour expectations. A consistent storage safety approach helps ensure that everyone understands their role in preventing incidents.

Risk Control and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments are used to identify hazards and decide on practical measures to reduce them. These assessments cover activities such as loading, unloading, movement through the premises, storage arrangement, and routine maintenance. Controls may include signage, restricted access, improved lighting, protective equipment, and procedural changes. Where a hazard cannot be removed entirely, it must be managed carefully and reviewed regularly.

Manual Handling

Manual handling should be kept to a minimum where possible. When lifting or moving items is necessary, staff should assess the load, plan the route, and use mechanical aids where appropriate. Heavy, awkward, or unstable items must not be moved without suitable support. Training and refresher awareness help reduce the risk of strains and other musculoskeletal injuries within the storage health and safety policy.

Fire prevention is a key part of safe site management. Waste materials, packaging, and other combustible items should not be allowed to accumulate unnecessarily. Electrical systems and appliances must be used correctly and checked when needed. Emergency exits, extinguishers, and evacuation routes must always remain accessible. Everyone should know what to do in the event of fire alarm activation or another urgent situation.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Review

Any accident, near miss, unsafe condition, or damage incident must be reported as soon as possible so that action can be taken. Prompt reporting supports investigation, corrective action, and future prevention. Records may be used to identify trends and improve the effectiveness of the health and safety policy. Openness in reporting is essential to continuous improvement.

First aid provision and emergency arrangements will be maintained in line with operational needs. Staff should be aware of the location of first aid supplies and the procedure to follow if injury occurs. In an emergency, calm action and clear communication are important. People should follow the instructions of the appointed responsible person and avoid placing themselves in further danger.

Training, communication, and supervision are also important elements of this policy. Safety information will be shared in a way that is clear and practical, using methods appropriate to the task and level of risk. Policies and procedures should not remain static; they must be reviewed whenever changes to operations, equipment, or risks make this necessary. This helps keep Coombe Storage aligned with good practice and effective control measures.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The management of Coombe Storage is committed to reviewing this policy regularly and updating it where required. Reviews will consider incident reports, inspection findings, changes in activities, and feedback from those involved in day-to-day operations. Improvements may include revised procedures, additional controls, or clearer communication. The aim is to make the storage health and safety policy both practical and effective.

Everyone is encouraged to contribute to a safer workplace by following procedures, correcting minor issues early, and speaking up about anything that could cause harm. A careful and responsible attitude supports not only compliance, but also the smooth operation of the site. Safety is most effective when it becomes part of normal behaviour rather than a separate task.

By maintaining high standards in housekeeping, reporting, training, and risk control, Coombe Storage can provide a secure environment for storage activities and associated work. This policy reflects our commitment to protecting people and property through sensible, consistent, and well-managed health and safety practices.