Storage Kensal Green Health and Safety Policy
Storage Kensal Green is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage operations, removals activities, vehicle use, manual handling and the general running of our premises.
We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance. Safety is an integral part of our day-to-day business and is considered in all operational planning and decision making.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout Storage Kensal Green and within our removals and storage activities.
Prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards and implementing appropriate control measures.
Ensure that all employees are competent to carry out their roles safely through effective training, supervision and communication.
Provide and maintain safe premises, equipment, vehicles and systems of work.
Protect the safety of customers, visitors, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our operations.
Management Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the senior management of Storage Kensal Green. Management is responsible for:
Ensuring appropriate resources are made available to implement and maintain health and safety standards.
Developing and reviewing risk assessments, safe systems of work and emergency procedures for storage and removals activities.
Ensuring that plant, equipment, lifting aids and vehicles are fit for purpose, regularly inspected and properly maintained.
Providing clear instructions, information and training so that employees understand their duties and work safely.
Investigating incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
Reviewing this policy periodically to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our operations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including temporary and agency workers, share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Employees are expected to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by Storage Kensal Green.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses and incidents to their manager as soon as practicable.
Cooperate fully with management in implementing health and safety measures and attend relevant training sessions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Kensal Green undertakes formal risk assessments for its storage and removals operations. These assessments consider the tasks performed, the environment, the people involved and the equipment used. Control measures are implemented to either eliminate risks where possible or reduce them to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are developed for key activities, including loading and unloading vehicles, operating handling equipment, moving and storing goods, driving and parking removal vehicles, and working within storage units. Employees are briefed on these systems and must adhere to them at all times.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removals and storage work. Storage Kensal Green minimises manual handling risks by:
Providing appropriate trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment to assist with moving heavy or bulky items.
Training staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting and the correct use of handling aids.
Planning jobs to avoid unnecessary carrying distances, awkward access routes and unsafe lifting positions.
Ensuring that only trained and authorised personnel operate specialist equipment such as pallet trucks or lifting devices.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
The safe operation of vehicles used for removals and associated transport is essential. Storage Kensal Green ensures that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent for the vehicles they operate.
Loads are planned, distributed and secured correctly to prevent movement or instability during transit.
Safe driving practices are followed at all times, including adherence to speed limits, rest breaks and parking rules.
Yard areas and loading bays are managed to minimise reversing and protect pedestrians and other road users.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We recognise our responsibility to safeguard customers and visitors when they are on our premises or in contact with our removals teams. Storage Kensal Green will:
Maintain clean, well lit and clearly signed access routes, loading areas and storage corridors.
Manage access to operational zones so that customers do not enter high risk areas without supervision.
Provide clear information on site rules, including speed limits, smoking restrictions and emergency procedures.
Ensure that our staff behave professionally, follow safety protocols and provide assistance to customers where needed.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Storage Kensal Green maintains arrangements for responding to emergencies such as fire, accidents, spills or structural incidents. These arrangements include:
Clear and practiced emergency evacuation procedures and assembly points for employees and visitors.
Suitable fire detection, alarm and firefighting equipment, inspected and maintained as required.
Provision of trained first aiders and appropriate first aid supplies on site and in vehicles as necessary.
Incident reporting and recording to support legal compliance and the analysis of trends for improvement.
Training, Communication and Policy Review
Health and safety training is provided to all employees at induction and refreshed regularly. Task specific training is given for removals operations, manual handling, equipment use, vehicle driving and emergency response. Additional training is provided if working practices, equipment or legislation change.
Information on health and safety is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks, signage and written procedures. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns and make suggestions to improve safety performance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed on a regular basis, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities or relevant legislation. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to customers and other interested parties on request.
By working together, Storage Kensal Green aims to maintain a safe environment for all those involved in or affected by our storage and removals services.
