Health and Safety Policy for Storage Peckham
Storage Peckham is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety within our storage facilities and during associated removal and handling activities.
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures in every area of our operations, including loading bays, storage units and vehicle access areas.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Storage Peckham. Management will ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided so that this policy is effectively implemented and regularly reviewed.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Ensuring that employees follow safe working practices and comply with company procedures.
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for storage facilities, handling equipment and removal activities.
Reporting and investigating accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, and implementing corrective actions.
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.
Use equipment, tools and handling aids in accordance with training and instructions.
Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses promptly to management.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors play an important role in maintaining safety on site. All customers, including those using our storage services in combination with removal or transport support, must:
Follow site rules, signage and instructions from staff.
Use designated access routes, loading areas and parking spaces.
Ensure that items brought into storage are safe, lawful and appropriately packaged, and do not include prohibited or hazardous materials.
Supervise any children or vulnerable persons accompanying them at all times.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Storage Peckham undertakes regular risk assessments to identify hazards associated with storage units, corridors, stairways, lifts, loading bays, removal activities and vehicle movements. The results of these assessments are used to determine practical measures to eliminate or control risks.
Examples of these measures include:
Maintaining clear walkways, corridors and fire exits.
Providing appropriate manual handling equipment, such as sack trucks and trolleys, and ensuring they are maintained in safe condition.
Implementing controls for traffic management, including speed restrictions and clearly marked loading zones for removal vehicles.
Using appropriate lighting in internal and external areas to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and following any significant change in operations, equipment or layout.
Safe Use of Storage Units and Facilities
To protect everyone on site, the following rules apply to the use of storage units and shared spaces:
Stored goods must be stacked safely and securely, with heavy items placed at lower levels and lighter, stable items above.
Access routes, doors and emergency exits must never be blocked by stored goods, removal trolleys or vehicles.
Flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic or otherwise hazardous substances are not permitted in storage units unless specifically authorised and subject to specialist controls.
Items must not be stored in a way that could create a fire risk or structural instability, such as unsupported tall stacks or overloading shelving.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Manual handling and removal activities present a significant risk of injury if not properly controlled. Storage Peckham takes reasonable steps to reduce these risks for both staff and customers using removal services or moving items to and from units.
Our approach includes:
Providing staff with training in safe lifting techniques and the correct use of handling equipment.
Encouraging the use of mechanical aids and team lifting for heavy or awkward items.
Advising customers on safe loading and unloading of goods, particularly during busy periods and when using removal vehicles.
Planning removal and loading operations to minimise reversing, blind spots and close contact between vehicles and pedestrians.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
Storage Peckham aims to maintain a clean, tidy and comfortable environment for all users of the facility. This includes:
Regular checks and cleaning of common areas, including corridors, lifts, loading bays and welfare facilities.
Maintaining adequate ventilation and temperature control in internal areas where reasonably practicable.
Providing suitable welfare arrangements for employees, including access to rest areas and sanitary facilities.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a critical part of our health and safety arrangements. Storage Peckham has established procedures for the prevention of fire and for responding to emergencies.
Key measures include:
Installing and maintaining appropriate fire detection and fire-fighting equipment.
Ensuring that fire exits, escape routes and assembly points are clearly marked, unobstructed and regularly inspected.
Providing information to staff and, where appropriate, to customers on emergency evacuation procedures.
Prohibiting smoking and open flames within storage buildings and any designated no-smoking areas.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Peckham provides employees with the information, instruction and training necessary to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training for new starters, refresher training when required, and additional training following changes to equipment or procedures.
Where reasonably practicable, customers are provided with clear information on safe access, loading practices and any restrictions relevant to their use of storage and associated removal services. Site signage is used to reinforce safety messages and highlight key risks.
Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, incidents and near misses on site must be reported to Storage Peckham management as soon as possible. These reports are recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Findings from investigations, audits and inspections are used to improve procedures, training and facilities. Storage Peckham is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance by learning from experience and adapting to changing operational needs.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains appropriate and effective. Reviews take place at planned intervals or following significant changes in legislation, guidance or business operations, including any substantial changes to our storage or removal services.
By implementing this policy, Storage Peckham demonstrates its commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy and well-managed environment for all who work at or use our facilities.
