Storage Kings Cross Health and Safety Policy
Storage Kings Cross is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to prevent accidents, protect people and safeguard property in all storage and removal related activities.
We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks arising from our operations, including the handling, moving and storage of goods, and to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry standards.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent injury and ill health, promote safe working practices and provide clear responsibilities throughout Storage Kings Cross. Our objectives are to:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with storage units, access areas, loading bays and vehicle movements.
Ensure that removal, lifting and handling tasks are planned and carried out safely.
Provide and maintain safe equipment, plant and vehicles used in connection with storage and removals.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision so that employees are competent to carry out their work safely.
Encourage a positive health and safety culture where everyone is responsible for safety and reports concerns promptly.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Kings Cross has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Management will:
Set clear health and safety standards, procedures and performance targets.
Allocate appropriate resources to manage health and safety effectively.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded, implemented and reviewed regularly.
Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
Review this policy periodically and when there are significant changes to operations or legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees of Storage Kings Cross are required to:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Cooperate with management on health and safety matters, including participation in training and safety briefings.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions without delay.
Refrain from horseplay or any unsafe behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Kings Cross carries out risk assessments for key activities and work areas, including storage units, access routes, loading areas and removal operations. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working at height, vehicle movements, use of trolleys and handling equipment, and the condition of stored items.
Where significant risks are identified, safe systems of work are established, documented and communicated to staff. These include safe procedures for loading and unloading vehicles, stacking goods in storage units, operating handling equipment, and controlling access to higher risk zones.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Manual handling is a core aspect of storage and removal services. To minimise the risk of injury, Storage Kings Cross will:
Provide training on safe lifting techniques, team lifting and the use of handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies and pallet equipment where appropriate.
Plan removal and storage jobs to avoid unnecessary lifting and carrying, using mechanical aids where reasonably practicable.
Assess items for size, weight, stability and potential hazards before they are moved.
Discourage lone handling of heavy or awkward loads and require team lifting for such items.
Ensure walkways, ramps and loading areas are kept clear and well maintained to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We are committed to maintaining a clean, orderly and secure workplace. This includes:
Keeping corridors, stairways, fire exits and emergency routes free from obstruction.
Ensuring adequate lighting in all working and public areas, including loading bays and storage corridors.
Implementing regular inspections to identify and address hazards such as damaged flooring, leaks or inadequate signage.
Managing waste and packaging materials promptly to prevent build up and fire risks.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Kings Cross maintains fire safety measures in line with applicable requirements. This includes:
Carrying out fire risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures.
Providing suitable fire detection and fire fighting equipment and ensuring it is maintained.
Clearly marking fire exits and escape routes and keeping them unobstructed at all times.
Displaying clear instructions for emergency evacuation and assembly points.
Providing staff with training on fire safety, emergency procedures and the use of extinguishers where appropriate.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers and visitors while they are on our premises. Storage Kings Cross will:
Provide clear signage to guide customers safely around the site, including directions to exits, reception and loading areas.
Control access to operational areas and restrict entry to higher risk zones where necessary.
Ensure that customers using trolleys or handling aids are given basic guidance on safe use where relevant.
Respond promptly to reported hazards and incidents involving customers or visitors and record them appropriately.
Contractors and Third Parties
Contractors and third parties working on or visiting our premises must comply with Storage Kings Cross health and safety requirements. We will:
Provide relevant safety information about site rules, hazards and emergency procedures.
Require contractors to demonstrate that they are competent and adequately insured for the work they undertake.
Monitor contractor activities to ensure that agreed safety standards are maintained.
Training, Information and Communication
Effective training and communication are essential to maintaining a safe storage and removals environment. Storage Kings Cross will:
Provide induction training for all new employees, covering site rules, hazards and emergency procedures.
Deliver role specific training on manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and any other relevant topics.
Refresh training at appropriate intervals and when changes occur in work processes or equipment.
Communicate safety updates, incident learnings and policy changes to all staff.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. Storage Kings Cross will monitor compliance with this policy through inspections, audits, incident reviews and feedback from staff and customers.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our storage and removal operations. Any necessary changes will be communicated to all employees and implemented as part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
