Health and Safety Policy for Storage Gipsy Hill
Storage Gipsy Hill is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, removals, handling of goods, and related activities carried out on or from our premises. Our objective is to prevent accidents, protect health, and ensure that all operations are conducted in a safe and responsible manner.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We aim to provide a working and visiting environment where risks are controlled so far as is reasonably practicable. Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, maintain safe storage and moving practices, and foster a positive safety culture across our organisation.
Senior management at Storage Gipsy Hill accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and requires every employee, contractor, and customer to cooperate in achieving a high standard of safety at all times.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place for all storage and removal activities. Management will review this policy regularly and communicate any changes to staff and, where appropriate, to customers and contractors.
Employees of Storage Gipsy Hill must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to follow training, instructions, and company procedures, report hazards and incidents, use equipment correctly, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
Contractors working on our premises, including those involved in removals, maintenance, or specialist handling, must comply with this policy and any site-specific rules. They must ensure that their own safety procedures are compatible with our standards.
Customers and visitors are expected to follow site safety signs and guidance from staff, use designated routes, and take care when loading, unloading, or accessing storage units and removal vehicles.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Gipsy Hill carries out regular risk assessments to identify hazards associated with storage facilities, removals operations, traffic movement, manual handling, lifting equipment, and general site safety. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are reduced and controlled through safe systems of work, training, supervision, and the use of suitable equipment.
All work tasks that present a significant risk, including the movement of heavy items, use of trolleys, operation of lifting devices, and vehicle manoeuvring, are subject to documented procedures. Employees and contractors must strictly adhere to these procedures.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal operations. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Gipsy Hill provides training in correct lifting techniques and safe handling of bulky or fragile items. Wherever possible, mechanical aids such as trolleys, sack trucks, and lifting equipment are used to minimise physical strain.
Only trained and authorised individuals may use mechanical handling equipment or operate any powered devices on site. All equipment is maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Faulty or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Traffic Management and Vehicle Safety
The movement of vehicles, including removal vans and customer vehicles, is managed to reduce the risk of collisions and injury. Storage Gipsy Hill uses designated traffic routes, loading zones, and where possible, one-way systems to separate vehicles from pedestrians.
Drivers must follow site speed limits, obey signage, and park only in designated bays. Vehicles must be secured and engines switched off when loading or unloading, unless specifically required for safe operation. Loads must be safely distributed, secured, and checked prior to departure.
Housekeeping and General Site Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to a safe storage and removals environment. Access routes, emergency exits, fire doors, stairways, and corridors must be kept clear at all times. Rubbish, discarded packaging, and spillages are to be dealt with promptly.
Storage units and common areas must be kept tidy and free of obstructions. Items should be stacked safely, with heavy objects placed at lower levels where possible, and care taken to avoid creating unstable or top-heavy stacks.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Gipsy Hill maintains appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, emergency lighting where required, and clearly marked escape routes and assembly points. Regular checks are conducted on fire safety systems.
Employees receive training in fire safety, including raising the alarm, evacuation procedures, and the use of fire extinguishers where appropriate. In the event of an emergency, all persons on site must follow staff instructions and evacuate promptly using the nearest safe exit.
Flammable materials, prohibited substances, and hazardous goods must not be stored or used on site unless expressly agreed and managed under specific safety controls. Information on prohibited or restricted items is made available to customers as part of the storage and removals process.
Health, Welfare, and First Aid
Storage Gipsy Hill provides suitable welfare facilities, including toilets and rest areas for staff, and reasonable access for customers and contractors. Adequate arrangements are in place for first aid, and appointed or trained first aiders are available during normal working hours.
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and work-related health concerns must be reported promptly. Records are maintained and reviewed to help prevent recurrence and to improve our safety management.
Information, Instruction, and Training
We ensure that employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their role, including safe handling of goods, operation of any equipment, customer interaction in a safe manner, and emergency procedures. Information about specific risks, such as working in confined areas, dealing with heavy or irregular loads, and vehicle movements, is provided as required.
Where customers or contractors are involved in loading, unloading, or moving goods, our staff will provide clear guidance on safe practices and site rules. Safety signage is used to reinforce instructions and highlight key hazards.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Gipsy Hill encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in safety discussions. Feedback from staff, customers, and contractors is used to refine our procedures and improve performance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly, and after any significant change in operations or legislation, to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removal services. We are committed to continual improvement and to maintaining a safe, secure environment for everyone who works with or uses Storage Gipsy Hill.
