Storage Sutton Health and Safety Policy
Storage Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles, responsibilities, and practical arrangements for managing risks across our storage facilities and removal operations.
Policy Aims and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. It applies to all Storage Sutton locations, vehicles, staff, and activities, including storage, packing, handling, loading, transport, and removal services.
This policy covers all employees, agency workers, contractors, and any person who may be affected by our operations. All individuals on our premises or engaged in our services are expected to cooperate with this policy and follow all safety instructions.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Sutton accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will provide appropriate resources to implement this policy, including training, supervision, equipment, and time allocated for safety tasks and inspections.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are developed, communicated, and followed. They must identify hazards in their areas, carry out risk assessments, implement control measures, and review them regularly or when there are significant changes in processes, equipment, or legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They are required to follow all safety procedures, attend relevant training, and correctly use the equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment provided.
Employees must promptly report any accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or health concerns to their line manager. No employee will be disciplined for raising genuine safety concerns made in good faith.
Safe Premises and Storage Facilities
Storage Sutton will maintain all premises in a safe condition. This includes routine inspections of corridors, stairs, loading areas, entrances, exits, storage units, and external areas. Flooring and surfaces will be kept as level and free from obstruction as reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Emergency exits and routes will be kept clear at all times and will be well signposted and illuminated. Adequate lighting, ventilation, and housekeeping standards will be maintained, and waste materials will be removed in a timely manner to avoid accumulation and fire hazards.
Safe Handling, Lifting, and Loading
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal activities. Storage Sutton will assess manual handling tasks and put control measures in place to reduce risks, including the use of handling aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, and lifting equipment where appropriate.
Employees involved in lifting, carrying, packing, or loading will receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including correct posture, team lifting, and load assessment. Staff must not attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability and should request assistance or mechanical aids when required.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Storage Sutton will ensure that vehicles used for removal and transport services are properly maintained, inspected, and suitable for their intended purpose. Drivers must hold appropriate licences and comply with all road safety requirements and company driving procedures.
Loading and unloading of vehicles will be carried out in designated areas using safe systems of work. Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and staff must avoid climbing on vehicles or loads unless safe access equipment is provided. Reversing will be minimised where possible and supported by a banksman when risk of collision exists.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
All work equipment will be selected, used, inspected, and maintained in line with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety requirements. Faulty or damaged equipment must be removed from service immediately and reported to management.
Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, suitable personal protective equipment will be provided, such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility garments. Employees must use this equipment as instructed and report any defects or issues without delay.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Sutton will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including alarms, extinguishers, signage, and emergency lighting where required. Fire exits and escape routes will remain unobstructed and clearly marked.
Emergency procedures will be displayed on site and communicated to staff and regular contractors. Periodic drills will be conducted to ensure that individuals know how to respond in the event of fire or other emergencies, including evacuation and assembly points.
Accident Reporting and First Aid
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a responsible person so that they can be recorded and investigated. The purpose of investigation is to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Adequate first aid facilities and trained first aiders will be provided. Information about first aid arrangements will be displayed within the premises so that employees and visitors know how to obtain assistance.
Contractors, Visitors, and Customer Safety
Contractors and visitors attending our premises, including customers accessing storage units or removal services, will be given appropriate safety information relevant to the areas they are visiting. Contractors must cooperate with this policy and follow all on-site rules and instructions provided by Storage Sutton.
Where contractors perform work on our behalf, we will assess their competence, request evidence of their health and safety arrangements, and coordinate activities to ensure risks are managed effectively.
Training, Consultation, and Communication
Storage Sutton will provide appropriate health and safety training and instruction to employees at induction and whenever roles, equipment, or procedures change. Refresher training will be provided where needed to maintain safe standards.
We will consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety and encourage feedback and suggestions for improvement. Safety information, procedures, and updates will be communicated through briefings, notices, and other suitable methods.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. Storage Sutton will monitor compliance with this policy through inspections, audits, incident statistics, and feedback from employees and customers.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and revised when necessary, including when operations change or new risks are identified. The latest version of the policy will be made available to employees and any interested parties upon request.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Sutton aims to ensure that all storage and removal activities are carried out safely and responsibly, protecting people, property, and the wider community.
