London Storage Health and Safety Policy

London Storage is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with storage, handling, removals, transport and related activities at our facilities and off site.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures.

This policy applies to all London Storage locations and to all activities carried out in connection with our business, including storage operations, removals, loading and unloading, driving, handling of goods, use of equipment and interaction with customers on and off our premises.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

London Storage will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and approved guidance applicable to our operations. We will monitor changes in legal requirements and update our procedures accordingly.

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who will ensure adequate resources, information and support are provided. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas, ensuring that safe systems of work are followed and that staff are properly trained and supervised.

Employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. They must follow all instructions, training and procedures, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, near misses, accidents or unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will identify hazards and assess risks associated with our activities, including storage of goods, manual and mechanical handling, vehicle movements, working at height, use of tools and equipment, and customer access to premises. Risk assessments will be documented, reviewed regularly and updated when changes occur to work practices, equipment or locations.

Safe systems of work will be implemented to control significant risks. These may include defined loading and unloading procedures, designated traffic routes, lifting and carrying techniques, equipment inspection regimes, restricted access areas and clear emergency procedures.

Manual Handling, Lifting and Carrying

Manual handling is a core element of our storage and removal services. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, London Storage will avoid hazardous manual handling so far as reasonably practicable and use appropriate handling aids, such as trolleys and lifting equipment, where suitable.

All staff involved in lifting and carrying tasks will receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including team lifting, load assessment and the correct use of mechanical aids. Staff must not attempt to lift or move loads that are too heavy, bulky or unstable, and must seek assistance or use equipment where required.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our operations may involve company vehicles and drivers providing removal and transport services. Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular checks and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences, follow all road traffic laws and operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.

Loading and unloading of vehicles will be planned and controlled to prevent falls, injuries and damage to goods. Loads will be secured to prevent movement during transport. Drivers and loading staff must follow designated loading procedures and take care when operating near pedestrians, customers and other vehicles.

Workplace, Storage Areas and Equipment

London Storage will maintain all workplaces, storage units, yards and offices in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Floors, walkways and access routes will be kept clear of obstructions and spillages. Storage areas will be organised to prevent overloading of shelves or racking and to maintain safe access to all items.

Equipment, including lifting aids, trolleys, racking, ladders and tools, will be selected, inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe and suitable for use. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to management.

Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures

We will implement and maintain suitable fire safety measures, including clear emergency routes, appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and emergency evacuation procedures. Fire exits will be clearly marked, unobstructed and regularly checked.

Staff will be given instructions on fire safety arrangements and participate in periodic drills where appropriate. In the event of an emergency, all persons on site must follow the directions of designated staff and proceed to the assembly points in a calm and orderly manner.

Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items

Certain items and substances may present heightened risks within storage and removal operations. London Storage will set clear rules on prohibited or restricted items, including flammable, explosive, corrosive or otherwise hazardous materials. Customers will be informed of these restrictions and are required to comply with them.

Where any hazardous substances are used or stored by London Storage, appropriate controls will be implemented, including labelling, secure storage, ventilation, and access to safety information for those who may need to handle them.

Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision

All staff will receive appropriate health and safety induction and job specific training. This will include instruction on safe lifting, safe use of equipment, vehicle and site safety, emergency procedures, reporting lines and customer interaction when working off site.

Training needs will be reviewed regularly, and refresher training will be provided where necessary. Adequate supervision will be maintained, particularly for new or inexperienced employees and for tasks that involve significant risks.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to the appropriate manager or supervisor. London Storage will record and investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Findings from investigations, and any resulting changes to procedures or equipment, will be communicated to relevant staff. We will monitor incident trends to support continuous improvement in our health and safety management.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

London Storage encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggestions or improvement ideas with their line manager or designated health and safety contact without fear of detriment.

This policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, locations or legal requirements. We are committed to learning from experience, industry best practice and feedback to maintain safe and healthy conditions for everyone affected by our storage and removal services.