Health and Safety Policy for Storage Adgate
Storage Adgate is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out our overall approach to managing health and safety across our storage and removal operations, including packing, handling, loading, transport, unloading and storage of goods.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our activities. We aim to provide safe systems of work, safe equipment, and a working environment where risks are identified, controlled and continually reviewed. We also seek to promote a positive safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities and acts to protect themselves and others.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Adgate has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that appropriate resources are available to support it. This includes providing suitable premises, vehicles, equipment, training and supervision so that work can be carried out safely and efficiently.
Managers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are completed and kept up to date, that safe working procedures are developed and followed, and that all reportable incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and used to improve future performance. They must also lead by example, demonstrating visible commitment to health and safety in all aspects of storage and removal work.
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 must co-operate fully with Storage Adgate in implementing this policy, follow all safety procedures and instructions, and use any protective equipment or clothing provided.
Staff are expected to report hazards, defects, incidents, near misses, or any concerns about health and safety to their manager without delay. They must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare, and must not operate any equipment or undertake any task for which they have not been trained or authorised.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Adgate undertakes systematic risk assessments for all key activities, including lifting and carrying of items, loading and unloading vehicles, use of mechanical aids, operation of storage facilities, driving, and working at height. These assessments identify significant hazards and appropriate control measures.
Safe systems of work are established based on these assessments and are communicated to all relevant staff. These include procedures for manual handling, vehicle movements, route planning, securing loads, working in customer premises, fire safety, emergency evacuation, housekeeping and equipment use. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to operations, equipment, or working practices.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Removals and storage operations often involve lifting, carrying and moving heavy or awkward items. Storage Adgate is committed to minimising the risk of musculoskeletal injuries through proper planning, use of mechanical aids and effective training.
Where possible, trolleys, dollies, lifts and other handling equipment are used to reduce manual effort. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifts, load assessment and the correct use of any equipment. No one is required to lift or move a load that they consider unsafe, and loads are never carried in a way that obstructs vision or creates unnecessary risk.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Company vehicles used for removals and storage activities are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out and drivers must complete basic safety checks before use.
Drivers and crews must follow all applicable road safety requirements and drive in a manner that protects themselves, their passengers, other road users and the load. Loads are positioned and secured so that they cannot shift during transit. Access routes, parking arrangements and loading areas are planned to reduce the risk of collisions, slips, trips and falls.
Workplace Safety in Storage Facilities
Storage Adgate maintains its facilities to provide a safe environment for staff, contractors and visitors. A good standard of housekeeping is required at all times to keep corridors, stairs and access routes clear, clean and well lit. Fire safety measures, including alarms and extinguishers, are installed and maintained in accordance with current standards, and emergency procedures are clearly communicated.
Any hazardous substances or materials are stored, handled and disposed of safely, and only by authorised and trained personnel. Access to restricted or higher risk areas is controlled, and security measures are in place to help protect both people and property.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Adgate provides appropriate health and safety training for all employees, tailored to their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, fire procedures, and working in customer premises.
Where necessary, refresher training is provided to ensure that knowledge and skills remain current. Information on risks, procedures and changes in working practices is communicated clearly, and supervision is provided to verify that safe systems of work are followed in day-to-day operations.
Consultation and Communication
Storage Adgate believes that effective consultation with employees is essential for good health and safety performance. Staff are encouraged to contribute ideas for improving safety, raise concerns, and participate in discussions about working practices.
Safety notices, instructions and updates are communicated in a way that is understandable and accessible. Where relevant, lessons from incidents or near misses are shared with teams to prevent recurrence and reinforce good practice.
Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement
Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy is monitored through inspections, observations and review of incident reports. Any deficiencies identified are addressed promptly, and corrective actions are recorded and followed through.
Periodic audits are carried out to review the effectiveness of our management arrangements, risk controls and training programmes. Storage Adgate is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance, learning from experience and adapting as our services, technology and customer needs develop.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, organisational structure or applicable standards. Updated versions of the policy are communicated to employees and made available to customers and others on request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Storage Adgate aims to provide safe and reliable removal and storage services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our activities.
