Storage Coombe Health and Safety Policy
Storage Coombe is committed to maintaining the highest reasonably practicable standards of health, safety and welfare for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks within our storage facilities and removal operations, ensuring that our activities are conducted in a safe, responsible and professional manner.
Policy Statement
The management of Storage Coombe recognises its duty of care under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work activities and to provide safe systems of work, safe premises, and safe equipment for all who may be affected by our operations.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and decision-making processes, particularly in relation to removal services, handling of customer goods, use of vehicles, access to storage units and maintenance of facilities.
Objectives
To fulfil this policy, Storage Coombe will pursue the following objectives:
Provide and maintain a safe working environment, including storage areas, loading bays, offices and external spaces.
Ensure that vehicles, lifting equipment, handling aids and all other work equipment are suitable, properly maintained and used correctly.
Identify, assess and control significant risks associated with removal activities, manual handling, working at height, traffic movement, fire safety and the general use of storage units.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation and feedback.
Monitor our performance and review this policy regularly to support continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and meet legal obligations.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation, including enforcing safe working practices, conducting risk assessments, arranging training, and addressing health and safety concerns without delay.
All employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. This includes following safety procedures, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and near misses, and cooperating fully with training and instruction.
Contractors working on Storage Coombe premises are required to comply with this policy and any site-specific rules. They must ensure that their own work activities are safe and do not endanger others.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Coombe will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards arising from our storage and removal operations. Particular attention will be given to manual handling of goods, operation of vehicles and lifting equipment, loading and unloading activities, stacking and storage practices, and entry to and exit from storage units.
Findings from risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work and specific procedures for removal jobs, warehouse handling, vehicle loading, customer access and emergency responses. These procedures will be communicated to all relevant staff and reviewed on a regular basis or following any significant change in operations.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Given the nature of our services, Storage Coombe pays particular attention to manual handling and removal tasks. We will minimise the need for hazardous manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by planning work effectively, using mechanical aids such as trolleys and dollies, and ensuring adequate staffing for heavy or bulky items.
Employees involved in removals will receive appropriate training in safe lifting techniques, team handling, use of equipment and route planning within buildings and storage areas. Staff must follow agreed methods, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and request assistance when loads are too heavy or awkward to move safely.
Vehicles, Traffic and Site Safety
All vehicles used in connection with Storage Coombe operations will be maintained in a safe condition and subject to appropriate inspections. Drivers must hold the correct licences and are expected to operate vehicles safely, obey site speed limits, and follow loading and unloading procedures.
To protect staff, customers and visitors, we will manage traffic movement on and around our premises through clear signage, designated parking and loading zones, and safe pedestrian routes where reasonably practicable. Reversing will be controlled using safe systems such as banksmen or suitable reversing aids where necessary.
Work Equipment and Premises
All work equipment, including lifting devices, trolleys, racking systems and safety barriers, will be purchased, installed and maintained to appropriate standards. Regular checks will be carried out, and any defective equipment will be taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Storage areas, corridors, stairways and external paths will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable to prevent slips, trips and falls. Good housekeeping is required at all times, including prompt clean-up of spillages, safe stacking of goods, and avoidance of obstructing fire exits or emergency equipment.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Coombe will maintain appropriate fire precautions, including suitable detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes, emergency lighting where required, and adequate fire-fighting equipment. Fire risk assessments will be undertaken and reviewed periodically.
Employees will receive instruction on emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and the correct reporting of incidents. Customers and visitors will be guided by signage and staff direction in the event of an emergency.
Training, Information and Consultation
We will provide employees with the training and information they need to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training, job-specific instruction, refresher training where necessary, and updates when procedures or equipment change.
Storage Coombe encourages open communication on health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices. No employee will be treated unfavourably for reporting a genuine safety concern.
Monitoring and Review
Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy will be monitored through regular inspections, review of incident reports, and ongoing evaluation of our procedures. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be taken promptly.
This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards or the nature of our storage and removal operations. The latest version will be made available to employees, contractors, customers and any other interested parties.
