Storage Tufnell Park Health and Safety Policy
Storage Tufnell Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and visiting environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety in our storage facilities and in our removal and transport activities.
We recognise our duty to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and best practice guidance. Health and safety is integral to every aspect of our operations, including storage, handling, loading, unloading and the use of vehicles and equipment.
Policy Aims
The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, safeguard the environment within and around our premises, and promote a positive safety culture throughout Storage Tufnell Park.
We will achieve these aims by assessing risks, implementing proportionate control measures, providing information and training, and continually reviewing our performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements across Storage Tufnell Park. This includes ensuring that adequate resources are made available for the implementation of this policy and that responsibilities are clearly defined.
Managers and supervisors must lead by example by following safety procedures, enforcing safe systems of work, monitoring standards and taking prompt action to address hazards. They are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, recorded, communicated and reviewed at regular intervals or when there are significant changes in operations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Every employee 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 all safety procedures and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, report hazards, accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, and cooperate fully with training and investigations.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Tufnell Park is committed to providing a safe environment for customers and visitors using our storage facilities and removal services. We will ensure that access routes, reception areas, loading bays and storage corridors are maintained in a safe condition and kept as clear as reasonably practicable.
Customers will be provided with appropriate information about safe access, loading and unloading, use of lifts or trolleys, and any restricted areas. Where customers are present during handling or transport activities, staff will guide them to safe zones and ensure that they are not placed at unnecessary risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with our storage and removal operations. These include, but are not limited to, manual handling, use of vehicles, operation of lifting equipment, fire and emergency situations, slips and trips, work at height and security risks.
Based on these assessments, we will implement safe systems of work, standard operating procedures and emergency arrangements. Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes in equipment, processes, premises layout or relevant legislation.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Our operations involve frequent lifting, carrying and moving of furniture, personal belongings and commercial goods. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, Storage Tufnell Park will prioritise the use of mechanical aids such as trolleys, pallet trucks and lifting devices wherever reasonably practicable.
All staff engaged in manual handling or removal activities will receive training in safe lifting techniques, team handling, assessing load weight and stability, and recognising when a task is unsafe to perform without assistance or equipment. Loads must be packed, stacked and secured to prevent movement or collapse during transit and storage.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Where our services involve collection, delivery or removal, vehicle safety is essential. Only authorised and competent drivers may operate company vehicles. Vehicles must be maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular checks and servicing.
Drivers must follow all road traffic laws, drive defensively and allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid unsafe speed or fatigue. Loading and unloading must take place in designated areas wherever possible, with adequate consideration given to pedestrians, other vehicles and the stability of the load. Reversing manoeuvres should be minimised and supported by a banksman where conditions require.
Premises Safety and Housekeeping
Storage areas, corridors, stairways, ramps, loading bays and communal areas must be kept tidy, well lit and free from avoidable obstructions. Items stored in units or common areas must be arranged to avoid overloading, fragile stacking or blocking of access routes and emergency exits.
Any damage to floors, walls, doors, loading equipment or security features must be reported and repaired as soon as reasonably practicable. Waste materials, discarded packaging and redundant items must be removed regularly to prevent fire risks and maintain safe access.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Tufnell Park will maintain appropriate fire safety arrangements, including clearly marked fire exits, escape routes, alarm systems and firefighting equipment where required. Fire exits and routes must remain unobstructed at all times.
Staff will be trained in fire and emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm, how to assist with evacuation and where to assemble in a safe location. Customers and visitors will be directed to follow staff instructions in the event of an emergency. Regular checks and drills will be carried out where appropriate to ensure the effectiveness of our arrangements.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate health and safety induction training on joining Storage Tufnell Park and further training relevant to their specific roles, such as storage operations, removal work, driving or equipment use.
We will provide clear, accessible information on safe working procedures, signage around the premises, and guidance for customers using our facilities. Levels of supervision will be proportionate to the risks involved, the complexity of the tasks and the experience of the staff involved.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. We will record and investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Lessons learned from investigations will be communicated to relevant staff and, where appropriate, used to update risk assessments, procedures and training materials.
Health, Wellbeing and Occupational Health
We recognise that the physical demands of storage and removal work can affect health and wellbeing. Storage Tufnell Park will seek to manage working patterns, rest breaks and workloads to reduce fatigue and stress and to encourage early reporting of any health concerns related to work.
Where necessary, reasonable adjustments will be considered to support employees with health conditions or disabilities so they can work safely and effectively.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in our operations, relevant legislation or recognised best practice. Any significant changes will be communicated to employees, and updated information will be made available to customers and visitors as appropriate.
Everyone involved with Storage Tufnell Park is expected to support and uphold this policy so that our storage and removal services are delivered safely and responsibly at all times.
