Storage Whitton Health and Safety Policy
Storage Whitton is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage and removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities, and working practices to minimise risks associated with storage operations, moving services, and general site activities.
Policy Aims and Scope
The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing associated risks, and implementing proportionate control measures. This policy applies to all Storage Whitton activities, including storage facility operations, office work, vehicle movements, and domestic or commercial removal services carried out by our teams.
All employees, agency workers, and contractors working on behalf of Storage Whitton must comply with this policy and any associated procedures. Customers and visitors are expected to cooperate with reasonable safety instructions provided by our staff.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Whitton has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes setting clear standards, providing adequate resources, and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all business planning and decision making.
Management will
Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all significant activities, including lifting and moving, driving and loading, storage unit access, and use of handling equipment.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment, and a safe working environment.
Ensure employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision relevant to their roles.
Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy regularly and update it as necessary in light of changes in operations, legislation, or best practice.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided by Storage Whitton.
Use equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Promptly report accidents, incidents, unsafe conditions, or near misses to their manager or supervisor.
Cooperate with any health and safety investigations, inspections, and audits.
Not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage or removal services also have responsibilities. To help keep everyone safe, they are required to
Comply with site rules and any safety signage when visiting Storage Whitton premises.
Follow the instructions of Storage Whitton staff regarding loading, unloading, parking, and access to storage units.
Pack and label items carefully, especially fragile or heavy items, to support safe handling by our removal teams.
Inform Storage Whitton in advance if any items may present unusual risks such as very heavy, awkward, or delicate items that require special equipment or techniques.
Safe Handling, Lifting, and Removals
Manual handling, lifting, and carrying are a core part of removal and storage work. To reduce the risk of injury to staff and customers, Storage Whitton will
Assess manual handling tasks and, where appropriate, use trolleys, sack trucks, dollies, or other handling aids.
Train employees in correct lifting techniques and team lifting methods.
Plan removal routes to avoid unnecessary carrying and to minimise hazards such as steps, narrow corridors, and uneven surfaces.
Restrict the movement of customers in active loading or unloading areas where there may be vehicle movements or heavy lifting.
Where items are exceptionally heavy or bulky, agree arrangements in advance so that correct equipment, vehicles, and staffing can be provided.
Vehicles, Driving, and Loading Safety
Storage Whitton operates vehicles as part of its removal and transport services. To manage the risks associated with driving and vehicle movements we will
Ensure drivers are competent, hold appropriate licences, and receive suitable training.
Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Plan routes and loading schedules to reduce fatigue and allow safe driving practices.
Secure loads properly to prevent shifting during transit and to protect both people and property.
Control vehicle movements at our premises, using designated loading areas and, where appropriate, banksmen or spotters.
Storage Unit and Site Safety
Storage Whitton will take all reasonable steps to ensure that storage units and common areas are safe and suitable for their intended use. We will
Maintain clean, unobstructed walkways, stairs, and access routes.
Provide adequate lighting in access corridors, stairwells, loading bays, and external areas.
Ensure that fire exits, extinguishers, and alarm points are clearly marked and kept accessible at all times.
Implement rules prohibiting the storage of dangerous, illegal, or prohibited items that may present fire, explosion, or contamination risks.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a key priority in storage and removal operations. Storage Whitton will
Provide and maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment on site where required.
Ensure clear signage showing escape routes, fire exits, and assembly points.
Train employees in fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and the correct response to alarms.
Carry out regular emergency drills and review procedures in light of outcomes.
Require customers and visitors to follow staff instructions immediately in the event of an alarm or emergency.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
Certain substances and items can be hazardous in a storage environment or during removal activities. Storage Whitton
Does not allow storage or transport of items such as flammable liquids, explosive materials, corrosive chemicals, gas cylinders, perishable goods that may rot, or any substance that may pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment.
Will provide clear information on prohibited items to customers and will refuse to store or move such items if discovered.
Will handle any hazardous materials found on site in line with legal requirements and best practice, using competent specialists where necessary.
Training, Consultation, and Communication
Effective health and safety management depends on proper training and open communication. Storage Whitton will
Provide induction training for all new employees covering general site rules, emergency arrangements, and role specific risks.
Offer ongoing training and refresher sessions on manual handling, use of equipment, driving, and other key topics.
Consult employees on health and safety matters, encouraging suggestions for improvement and reporting of hazards.
Share relevant health and safety information with customers where it affects the way they use our services or facilities.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Storage Whitton is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will
Monitor incidents, near misses, and inspection findings to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Review this policy regularly and following any significant change in operations or legislation.
Set realistic health and safety objectives and measure performance against them.
Ensure that lessons learned from incidents or feedback are incorporated into procedures and staff training.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, Storage Whitton aims to provide a safe, reliable, and professional storage and removal service for all users of our facilities.
