Storage Cudham Health and Safety Policy
Storage Cudham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors who use our storage and removal services. This policy sets out our health and safety aims, responsibilities and procedures to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health and damage to property.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We aim to manage health and safety to a high standard across all storage and removals activities. Our key objectives are to prevent workplace injuries, protect physical and mental wellbeing, minimise risks arising from storage and moving operations, and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.
We seek to achieve continual improvement in our performance through regular review, staff engagement and effective communication with all those affected by our operations.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Cudham has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and providing the resources needed to maintain safe systems of work. Management will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, that appropriate control measures are implemented, and that safe working procedures are clearly communicated and enforced.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for leading by example, monitoring working practices, addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions, arranging suitable training and reporting significant incidents, near misses or hazards. They must ensure that all workers are competent for the tasks they undertake, particularly when operating handling equipment or moving heavy items during removals.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by Storage Cudham.
Employees are required to use equipment and personal protective equipment as instructed, report hazards or defects promptly, and cooperate fully in accident investigations, risk assessments and safety briefings. Unsafe behaviour, misuse of equipment or deliberate breaches of safety rules may result in disciplinary action.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures
Storage Cudham will identify and manage health and safety risks arising from our storage, handling and removal operations. We will undertake risk assessments for key activities, including loading and unloading vehicles, handling customer goods, operating trolleys and lifting aids, stacking goods in storage areas and accessing higher levels.
Control measures may include the use of appropriate equipment, safe stacking limits, designated walkways, restricted access areas, housekeeping standards, signage and supervised working. Written procedures will be maintained where necessary to ensure consistency and clarity in our approach.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
The nature of our business means that manual handling and moving of items is routine. To reduce the risk of back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders, Storage Cudham will provide manual handling training relevant to removal work and storage activities. Staff will be encouraged to use mechanical aids wherever practical and to plan lifts in advance.
When conducting removals or loading operations, routes will be checked for obstructions and hazards, weight limits will be considered, and team lifting will be used for heavy or awkward items. Customers will be advised of any restrictions that may affect safe access, including narrow stairways, low ceilings or uneven surfaces.
Safe Use of Equipment and Vehicles
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate handling equipment, such as sack trucks, pallet equipment or other lifting aids. All equipment will be maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Drivers and removal teams must follow traffic safety rules, vehicle loading guidance and any site-specific requirements when operating in and around our premises or at customer locations. Loads must be secured properly, and vehicles must not be overloaded.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Cudham will maintain fire safety arrangements appropriate to the nature of our buildings and stored items. This includes clear escape routes, suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment, and emergency signage. Staff and regular contractors will receive information on emergency procedures, assembly points and reporting arrangements.
All persons on site must comply with evacuation instructions and must not obstruct exits or tamper with fire safety equipment. Regular checks of escape routes, lighting and alarms will be completed and recorded.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
We will provide and maintain safe and tidy working conditions, including adequate lighting, ventilation and temperature control where reasonably practicable. Storage areas, access corridors and loading zones will be kept as clear as possible to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Suitable welfare facilities, including rest areas and sanitary arrangements, will be provided for staff. Breaks will be encouraged, especially during periods of intense physical work such as removals and heavy lifting.
Information, Training and Supervision
Storage Cudham will ensure that all employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles. This may include manual handling, use of equipment, working at height, fire safety, first aid awareness and incident reporting.
Safety information will be communicated through briefings, signage and written guidance where appropriate. Supervisors will monitor work practices and provide additional coaching or support if unsafe behaviours or gaps in understanding are identified.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Storage Cudham will record and review such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where required, certain incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities. Lessons learned from investigations will be shared with staff and used to improve our procedures and training.
Contractors, Customers and Visitors
Contractors working on site must comply with this policy and any additional safety requirements specified for their tasks. We will, where necessary, seek risk assessments and method statements before work begins and will monitor performance to ensure safe standards are maintained.
Customers and visitors will be given appropriate safety information when accessing storage areas or removal loading zones. They must follow any site rules, signage and staff instructions, and must not enter restricted or operational areas without supervision.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Cudham will monitor health and safety performance using accident data, inspection findings, staff feedback and other indicators. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly, and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal requirements.
We are committed to continual improvement in our health and safety standards across storage, removals and associated services, recognising that safe working practices protect our people, our customers and our reputation.
