Storage Paddington Health and Safety Policy
Storage Paddington is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, moving and transporting goods, including our removal services. Our aim is to prevent accidents and work-related ill health through effective planning, training, supervision and continuous improvement.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Storage Paddington will take all reasonably practicable steps to safeguard health and safety. We will maintain safe premises and equipment, ensure safe systems of work and promote a culture where safety is a core value in all storage and removal operations. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
We will regularly review our risks, controls and procedures, particularly where work involves lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, vehicle movements and the use of handling equipment. Where necessary, we will update working methods and guidance to reflect good practice.
Responsibilities and Management
Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring adequate resources are provided for health and safety management. This includes investment in equipment, maintenance, training, supervision and incident investigation.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day health and safety in their areas. They must ensure that staff and contractors follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment and report hazards or incidents promptly.
All employees and contractors working with Storage Paddington have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or fail to do. They must co-operate with health and safety arrangements, follow instructions and training, and immediately raise concerns about risks, defects or unsafe practices.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our activities, including storage operations, removal services, packing, loading, unloading and driving. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risk and set out control measures for safe working.
Safe systems of work may include planning routes for removal jobs, using appropriate lifting techniques, relying on mechanical aids where available, managing customer access during loading and unloading, and maintaining clear walkways and exits within storage areas and vehicles.
Risk assessments and procedures are reviewed regularly and following any significant change in operations, equipment or working environment, or after any accident or near-miss that suggests improvements may be required.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key element of our storage and removal activities. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Paddington will, wherever reasonably practicable, avoid hazardous manual handling. Where manual handling cannot be avoided, we assess the task and provide suitable controls, such as team lifting, use of trolleys, dollies, sack trucks or other aids.
Staff receive training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, load assessment, posture and the importance of not exceeding personal limits. Items that are unusually heavy, awkward or fragile are handled with additional care, planning and, where appropriate, additional personnel or equipment.
All handling equipment, including lifting aids and vehicles, will be maintained in safe working condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Defective equipment will be removed from use until it has been repaired or replaced.
Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety
For removal and transport services, Storage Paddington recognises the importance of road safety. Only competent and authorised drivers may operate company vehicles. Drivers must follow road traffic laws, drive considerately and ensure that loads are secure before moving off.
Vehicles will be checked regularly for roadworthiness, and any defects reported and rectified without delay. Loading and unloading will be planned to minimise reversing manoeuvres, and where reversing is necessary, banksmen or other controls will be used where reasonably practicable.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We maintain our storage facilities and working areas in a clean, orderly and safe condition. This includes effective housekeeping, clear emergency exits, adequate lighting and clear signage. Aisles and access routes are to be kept free of obstructions, loose packaging and spillages.
Any hazards such as damaged flooring, leaking containers, unstable stacks or poorly stored items must be reported and addressed promptly. Storage systems will be organised so that heavy items are stored at appropriate heights and racks and shelves are used within their safe load capacities.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be controlled sufficiently by other means, Storage Paddington will provide and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing and other items as necessary for the task.
Employees and contractors must use the protective equipment provided, look after it properly and report any losses or defects so replacements can be arranged. Managers must ensure that PPE is suitable, fits correctly and is used consistently.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Storage Paddington provides health and safety information, instruction and training relevant to storage, handling, removals and associated tasks. Induction training is provided to new staff, and further training is given when roles change, new equipment is introduced or risk assessments are updated.
We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees and contractors are expected to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in consultation on safety matters. Where appropriate, briefings or toolbox talks are used to share key messages, learning from incidents and updates to procedures.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible so they can be recorded, investigated and, where necessary, acted on to prevent recurrence. We maintain appropriate records and use findings to improve our systems and training.
Storage Paddington has emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, first aid and other foreseeable incidents. Staff receive guidance on raising alarms, assisting customers and visitors, and following evacuation routes. First aid provision is maintained in line with applicable requirements, and staff are informed of first aid arrangements.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removal operations. Reviews take place at planned intervals and after significant incidents or operational changes. We use incident data, audit findings and staff feedback to drive improvements in our controls, training and working practices.
Storage Paddington expects everyone connected with our business to support the aims of this policy and to contribute to a safe and healthy working environment for all.
