Health and Safety Policy for Storage Colliers Wood
Storage Colliers Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks in our storage facilities and within our removal and handling operations. Our goal is to prevent accidents, protect property, and promote a culture of safety in all areas of our business.
Policy Aims and Scope
This policy applies to all Storage Colliers Wood staff, agency workers, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage units or removal and handling services. It covers activities on our premises, associated loading areas, and during the collection, transport, loading, and unloading of customers goods.
Our aims are to identify, assess, and control hazards; comply with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance; provide safe systems of work for storage and removal operations; and continuously improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Colliers Wood has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring adequate resources are in place, setting clear objectives, reviewing performance, and promoting a positive safety culture.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas, conducting and reviewing risk assessments, providing information, instruction, and training, and monitoring safe working practices. They must ensure that equipment and vehicles are maintained in safe condition and that housekeeping standards are consistently high.
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 follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, accidents, and near misses without delay.
Team members involved in removals and handling activities must adhere to manual handling guidance, vehicle loading procedures, and safe driving practices. Employees must not misuse or interfere with any safety equipment or protective devices provided.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Colliers Wood takes reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks while on our premises or during removal operations. We provide clear signage, guidance on safe access routes, and information on safe use of storage units and loading areas.
Customers are expected to follow staff instructions, park only in designated areas, avoid blocking fire exits or walkways, and take care when moving their own goods. Hazardous, illegal, or unsafe items must not be stored or presented for removal.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering our storage facilities, offices, yards, vehicles, and removal activities. The findings are used to implement practical control measures and safe systems of work.
Typical risk areas include manual handling, use of trolleys and handling aids, loading and unloading vehicles, working in confined storage aisles, slips, trips and falls, working at height on access equipment, traffic management in yards and loading bays, and security and access control. Where necessary, written procedures are issued to staff and reviewed periodically or after any incident.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal services, and we place particular emphasis on techniques that reduce the risk of injury. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting methods, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, and the use of handling aids such as sack trucks and dollies.
Before any removal or large handling task, staff are encouraged to plan the route, identify obstacles, check floor conditions, and assess whether mechanical assistance or additional personnel are required. Overloading of trolleys, unsafe stacking of goods, and lifting beyond personal capability are not permitted.
Plant, Equipment and Vehicle Safety
All equipment used in storage and removal operations is selected and maintained with safety in mind. This includes trolleys, ramps, access equipment, and company vehicles. Regular checks and servicing schedules are in place, and defective equipment is taken out of use promptly.
Drivers are responsible for completing basic vehicle checks, securing loads safely, and operating vehicles with due care both on the road and on site. Loads must be distributed evenly, secured to prevent movement, and handled in line with legal weight limits and best practice guidance.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
Storage Colliers Wood maintains clear procedures for emergency situations such as fire, serious accidents, or security incidents. Fire exits, escape routes, and assembly points are clearly marked and kept free from obstruction. Staff are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and the use of basic fire-fighting equipment where appropriate.
First aid provisions are maintained on site, and designated staff receive first aid training in accordance with operational needs. All accidents, injuries, and incidents must be reported so that they can be recorded, investigated, and acted upon.
Health, Welfare and Working Environment
We take steps to ensure that the working environment in our storage and removal operations is safe and comfortable. This includes managing lighting, ventilation, temperature, and noise levels, and providing welfare facilities such as rest areas and sanitary amenities.
We also recognise the importance of managing fatigue and stress, particularly for staff involved in physically demanding removal work or driving tasks. Work schedules and task allocation are planned with regard to safe working limits.
Information, Instruction and Training
Storage Colliers Wood provides employees with relevant health and safety information and training appropriate to their roles. This includes induction training, refresher sessions, and task specific instruction for storage operations, removals, manual handling, and vehicle use.
Where new equipment, processes, or services are introduced, additional training and risk assessments are completed. Safety notices and guidance are displayed prominently to remind staff and customers of key rules and precautions.
Consultation, Monitoring and Review
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters and invite feedback from staff and, where appropriate, from customers and contractors. Concerns raised are reviewed promptly and used to improve procedures.
Monitoring of incidents, near misses, and inspection findings helps us identify trends and take corrective action. This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, facilities, or legislation. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to customers on request.
By following this policy, Storage Colliers Wood aims to maintain safe, well managed storage facilities and reliable, secure removal and handling services for all users.
