Storage Dagenham Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy describes how Storage Dagenham manages the wellbeing of employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage and removals services. Our aim is to provide safe, clean, and well managed facilities and to conduct all moving, lifting, transport, and storage activities in a way that reduces risk as far as reasonably practicable.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage Dagenham is committed to preventing accidents, work related ill health, and damage to property or belongings. Health and safety is integrated into our daily operations, from customer reception and site access to handling, loading, transport, and storage of goods. We continually review our procedures to improve performance and comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Our main objectives are to provide a safe place of work, safe systems for handling and storing items, properly maintained work equipment and vehicles, and a culture where staff and customers understand and respect health and safety requirements.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Dagenham holds overall responsibility for implementing this policy. Managers ensure that suitable resources are allocated for health and safety, that risk assessments are carried out and recorded, and that appropriate training and supervision are provided for all team members involved in storage and removals activities.
Management will periodically review this policy, particularly when there are changes to operations, facilities, or legislation affecting storage or moving services. Any necessary updates will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to customers and contractors.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, comply with instructions and signage, and report any hazards, incidents, or near misses without delay.
Employees are expected to attend training sessions, refresh their knowledge regularly, adopt safe lifting and manual handling techniques, and use personal protective equipment where it is provided and required. Unsafe behaviour or failure to follow safety procedures may lead to disciplinary action.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Dagenham carries out risk assessments covering storage units, loading areas, corridors, stairways, lifts, vehicles, and any off site removals work. Assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working at height when loading vehicles, vehicle movements, and the secure stacking of goods.
Based on the findings, we implement safe systems of work, including guidance on acceptable load weights, team lifting, use of trolleys and other handling aids, segregation of pedestrian and vehicle routes where possible, and clear rules on what may and may not be stored or transported.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removals activity. We train staff in correct lifting techniques, planning the lift, assessing weight and stability, and using mechanical aids or additional personnel when needed. Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability or that present an obvious risk to themselves or others.
Where possible, we design tasks to minimise manual handling by arranging logical loading sequences, using handling equipment, and encouraging customers to pack belongings in manageable containers that can be safely lifted and stacked.
Equipment, Vehicles, and Maintenance
All equipment, including trolleys, restraints, ramps, and lifting aids, is inspected regularly to ensure it is fit for purpose. Vehicles used in removals operations are maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and relevant regulations. Any defects or damage are reported immediately and the equipment or vehicle is taken out of service if it is unsafe.
Only authorised and trained staff may operate vehicles or specialised equipment. Keys and access controls are managed to prevent unauthorised use and reduce the risk of accidents on site or during transport.
Safe Premises and Storage Practices
We aim to provide storage areas that are well lit, clean, and kept free of unnecessary obstacles. Fire exits, escape routes, and emergency equipment locations are clearly marked and must never be obstructed by goods or waste materials. Floors and access routes are maintained to minimise slip and trip hazards.
Customers and staff are required to observe rules regarding the type of goods stored, ensuring that prohibited or hazardous materials are not brought onto the premises or into vehicles. Items must be packed securely, and loads stacked in a stable manner that avoids overloading shelves, units, or vehicles.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Dagenham maintains fire detection and firefighting equipment appropriate to our operations. Fire safety checks are carried out regularly, and staff receive training on fire prevention, evacuation routes, alarm points, and the use of extinguishers where appropriate.
Emergency procedures are displayed at key points on site. In an emergency, all persons must follow the instructions of staff, evacuate promptly if required, and not re enter any area until advised that it is safe to do so by an authorised person.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences that happen on our premises or during removals work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details are recorded so that causes can be identified and corrective actions taken to prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, we will review risk assessments, update procedures, or implement additional control measures. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff and, where appropriate, communicated to customers where it may improve their safety while using our services.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Dagenham provides staff with appropriate health and safety training, including induction for new starters and role specific instruction for those involved in lifting, loading, driving, or supervising operations. Refresher training is provided at intervals or when procedures change.
Information is given to customers and visitors about site rules, loading arrangements, parking areas, restricted zones, and any special precautions related to their use of storage units or removals services. Supervisors monitor work practices to ensure that safety procedures are understood and followed.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication about health and safety issues. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in discussions about safer ways of working. Feedback from customers and contractors is also considered as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the current arrangements at Storage Dagenham. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with our responsibilities as a storage and removals provider.
