Storage Twickenham Health and Safety Policy
Storage Twickenham is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and removal operations, including loading, unloading, transportation, and handling of goods.
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing suitable control measures. This policy applies to all activities carried out under the name of Storage Twickenham.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our core health and safety objectives are to:
Promote a positive safety culture where everyone accepts responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised best practice within the storage and removals sector. Continually improve our health and safety performance through regular reviews, staff feedback, and training.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Twickenham has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes:
Providing clear leadership and ensuring that health and safety is given equal priority alongside operational and commercial considerations. Ensuring appropriate resources, equipment, and training are available so that work is carried out safely. Setting and reviewing health and safety objectives and performance indicators. Ensuring that risk assessments are conducted and kept up to date for all significant activities, including storage operations, packing, lifting, and vehicle movements. Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Storage Twickenham have 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. Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use equipment, vehicles, and tools only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training. Report hazards, defects, accidents, and near misses promptly to their supervisor or manager. Cooperate fully with any investigations, audits, or reviews relating to health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Twickenham will identify and assess hazards associated with our activities, such as:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes, and equipment. Use of trolleys, pallet trucks, and lifting aids. Loading and unloading removal vehicles and storage units. Vehicle movements within our premises. Working in confined or restricted spaces within storage areas. Slips, trips, and falls in storage aisles, loading bays, and office areas.
Based on these assessments we will implement safe systems of work, including clear procedures, supervision, and where appropriate, permits or authorisations for higher-risk tasks.
Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our storage and removals operations. To reduce the risk of injury:
Staff will receive training on correct lifting techniques and the use of handling equipment. Heavy or bulky items will be lifted using team techniques or mechanical aids where possible. Loads will be assessed before lifting, and staff will not be expected to move items that are beyond their capability or training. Customers will be encouraged to pack items securely and within sensible weight limits.
Use of Equipment and Vehicles
All equipment and vehicles used by Storage Twickenham will be maintained in a safe condition. We will:
Carry out regular inspections and servicing in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Ensure that only trained and authorised staff operate vehicles and specialist equipment. Remove from service any equipment or vehicles that are defective or unsafe until they have been repaired and declared fit for use.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Twickenham is committed to protecting customers and visitors while they are on our premises or in contact with our removal teams. We will:
Provide clear signage and guidance about safe access routes, loading areas, and restricted zones. Maintain clean, tidy, and well-lit areas, with particular attention to entrances, corridors, stairs, and loading bays. Where customers are present during loading or unloading, our staff will give clear instructions to keep a safe distance and will control vehicle movements to prevent accidents.
Housekeeping and Fire Safety
Good housekeeping is essential for safety in storage and removals operations. We will:
Keep walkways, fire exits, and access routes clear of obstructions at all times. Store goods, packing materials, and equipment safely and securely to prevent falls, trips, or collapse of stacked items. Manage waste and recyclables so they do not create fire or trip hazards.
We will maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and ensure that fire evacuation procedures are clearly communicated and practised where relevant.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Storage Twickenham will:
Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes. Take prompt action to prevent recurrence, which may include changes to procedures, further training, or equipment improvements. Review incident trends regularly to identify areas where additional controls may be required.
Training, Supervision, and Communication
Storage Twickenham recognises that competent and informed staff are essential for safe operations. We will:
Provide induction training for new staff covering key health and safety topics, including manual handling, safe use of equipment, and emergency procedures. Offer ongoing refresher training and role-specific instruction, particularly for those involved in removal operations, driving, or supervising others. Ensure adequate supervision for new or inexperienced staff and for higher-risk tasks. Communicate health and safety information clearly through briefings, notices, and toolbox talks.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage staff at all levels to contribute ideas and raise concerns about health and safety. Storage Twickenham will:
Consult with employees on changes that affect health and safety arrangements. Review this policy and associated procedures at regular intervals or following any significant change in operations or legislation. Seek continuous improvement in our health and safety performance through monitoring, audits, and feedback.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the current operations of Storage Twickenham and our approach to the safe provision of storage and removal services. It will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with legal requirements and industry best practice.
