Storage St Johns Health and Safety Policy
Storage St Johns is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and others who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all areas of our operations, including storage facilities, vehicles, and client premises.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We recognise our duty to protect people from harm and to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health as far as is reasonably practicable. Our key objectives are to identify and control risks, provide safe systems of work, supply and maintain suitable equipment, and ensure that staff are trained and competent to carry out their roles safely.
Health and safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of all storage and removal services. We aim to foster a positive safety culture in which all individuals accept responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage St Johns has overall responsibility for the implementation and review of this Health and Safety Policy. Management will ensure that adequate resources are allocated to health and safety and that responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated, and monitored.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe working practices are followed in their areas of control. They must lead by example, promote safe behaviour, carry out regular inspections, and take prompt action to address any identified hazards or non-compliance with procedures.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must cooperate with management to enable Storage St Johns to fulfil legal and moral obligations relating to health and safety.
Staff are expected to follow safety instructions and training, use equipment correctly, report hazards, defects, incidents, and near misses, and refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others. No employee is required to carry out work that they believe to be unsafe, and any concerns must be raised with a manager immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage St Johns conducts regular risk assessments to identify significant hazards associated with storage and removal operations. This includes manual handling of items, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle movements, working at height, use of ramps, and operating within confined or busy areas at clients premises.
Findings from risk assessments are used to develop and maintain documented safe systems of work. These procedures include safe loading and unloading of vehicles, secure stacking of items in storage units, correct use of personal protective equipment, and safe access to and from storage areas. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and following any incident or significant change in operations.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling is a key element of removal and storage work and is therefore a priority for risk control. Storage St Johns provides training on manual handling techniques, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling, to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Where possible, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and pallet equipment are used to reduce the need for manual lifting. Loads are assessed for weight, size, shape, and stability before moving, and staff are instructed to work in teams when handling heavy or awkward items. No employee should attempt to lift or move a load that exceeds their capabilities.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Storage St Johns ensures that vehicles used for removal and transport services are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers must hold the appropriate license for the vehicles they operate and follow all road safety laws and company procedures.
Safe loading and securing of items in vehicles is essential to prevent movement during transit. Drivers and crew members must follow guidance on load distribution, use of securing straps or nets, and safe access to the vehicle loading area. Vehicle movements at storage sites and client locations must be controlled to minimise risks to pedestrians and other road users.
Workplace and Storage Facility Safety
Our storage facilities are designed and maintained to provide safe access and egress, adequate lighting, clear signage, and appropriate fire safety measures. Aisles and access routes must be kept clear of obstructions at all times, and items must be stacked securely and within designated height limits.
Regular checks are carried out to ensure that doors, ramps, lifts, and other access equipment function safely. Any defects or hazards discovered in the storage environment must be reported immediately and addressed before normal operations resume in the affected area.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage St Johns puts in place fire prevention and protection measures suitable for storage and removal activities. Fire detection and alarm systems, extinguishers, and emergency lighting are installed and checked in line with regulatory requirements.
Emergency procedures are displayed on site, and staff receive training on fire evacuation, the location of exits, assembly points, and the correct use of extinguishers where appropriate. Evacuation drills are carried out periodically to ensure that staff and visitors know how to respond in an emergency.
Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, whether occurring at a Storage St Johns facility, in vehicles, or at a customer location, must be reported without delay. Detailed records are kept and investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective and preventive actions.
We encourage open reporting and a no blame approach, focusing on learning and improvement rather than individual fault, except in cases of deliberate disregard for safety procedures.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage St Johns provides health and safety induction training to all new employees and ongoing training relevant to their roles. This includes manual handling, equipment use, safe driving, emergency procedures, and any specific hazards associated with particular tasks or client sites.
Information on health and safety policies, risk assessments, and safe systems of work is made available to staff. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and coaching to ensure that procedures are understood and followed consistently.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improving safety standards and working practices. Feedback from staff, customers, and contractors is considered when reviewing procedures and risk controls.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains effective and reflects current operations, best practice, and any changes in relevant requirements. Updates are communicated to all employees, and training is provided where necessary to support implementation.
By following this policy and working together, Storage St Johns aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone connected with our storage and removal services.
