Storage Bowes Park Health and Safety Policy
Storage Bowes Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, visitors, contractors, and employees. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, removals, handling, transportation of goods, and the use of our facilities.
We aim to conduct all activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property, and harm to the environment. Health and safety is an integral part of our day-to-day operations and decision-making processes.
Scope and Objectives
This policy applies to all areas of Storage Bowes Park including storage units, loading and unloading bays, corridors, access routes, offices, and any locations where our removals and storage services are provided.
Our objectives are to identify and control hazards, comply with relevant health and safety legislation, provide clear guidance to employees and customers, and continually improve our safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Bowes Park has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will provide appropriate resources, equipment, and supervision to ensure safe working practices across all storage and removals activities.
Management duties include carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place, monitoring compliance with procedures, and responding promptly to reported hazards, incidents, or near misses.
Managers will ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and are competent to perform their tasks safely, particularly in relation to lifting, handling, and operating equipment associated with storage and removals.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must cooperate with management in implementing this policy and follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided.
Employees are expected to use equipment properly, avoid unsafe shortcuts, and immediately report any hazards, defects, accidents, or near misses to their line manager. This includes issues relating to manual handling, vehicle movements, trip hazards, or the condition of storage units and communal areas.
No employee should undertake any task for which they have not been trained or authorised, especially when handling heavy or bulky items as part of removals or storage services.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using Storage Bowes Park facilities must behave in a safe and responsible manner while on the premises. They must follow any safety signage and instructions provided by staff, particularly in loading bays, corridors, staircases, and lift areas.
Customers are responsible for safely packing and securing their own goods, and for ensuring that items brought into the premises are suitable for storage and compliant with our terms and conditions. Hazardous, illegal, flammable, or perishable items must not be stored or handled on site.
When moving goods to and from storage units, customers must take care to avoid overloading trolleys, obstructing walkways, or attempting to lift items that may cause strain or injury. Assistance should be sought from our team where appropriate.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Bowes Park conducts regular risk assessments to identify hazards related to storage units, access routes, lifting operations, loading and unloading, vehicle movements, and general building safety. Control measures are implemented to manage these risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work include clear procedures for manual handling, use of trolleys and moving equipment, stacking and storing goods, working at height where applicable, and managing pedestrian and vehicle interactions in service areas.
Risk assessments and procedures are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to operations, equipment, or layout, ensuring that our storage and removals services remain as safe as reasonably practicable.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Many activities in storage and removals involve manual handling of goods. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Bowes Park promotes good manual handling techniques and, where possible, the use of mechanical aids.
Employees receive guidance on assessing loads, adopting safe lifting postures, avoiding twisting movements, and working as a team when moving large or heavy items. Trolleys, dollies, and other moving aids are made available and must be used in accordance with instructions.
Only trained and authorised staff may operate any specialist equipment or vehicles. Equipment is inspected regularly and any defective item will be taken out of service until it is repaired or replaced.
Housekeeping, Fire Safety, and Emergency Procedures
Good housekeeping is essential to minimise slips, trips, and falls. Storage Bowes Park maintains clean and orderly premises, ensuring that exit routes, fire doors, and access paths to storage units remain clear at all times.
Fire safety measures include appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, and signage. Staff are familiar with fire procedures, including how to raise the alarm, guide customers, and assist in an orderly evacuation.
Emergency procedures cover fire, serious accidents, spillages, and other incidents that may affect the safety of people or property. Customers and visitors must follow any directions given by staff in the event of an emergency.
Training, Information, and Communication
Storage Bowes Park provides suitable health and safety training for employees relevant to their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, use of equipment, fire safety, and incident reporting.
Information on safety rules and procedures is communicated through signage, staff briefings, and internal documentation. Where necessary, updated guidance is issued to reflect new risks, equipment, or operating practices.
We encourage open communication about safety and welcome suggestions from staff and customers for improving our health and safety arrangements.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. Accurate reporting allows us to identify trends, address underlying causes, and prevent future occurrences.
Storage Bowes Park will investigate incidents fairly and objectively, taking appropriate action which may include revising procedures, enhancing training, or improving equipment and facilities.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage Bowes Park is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We regularly review our systems, procedures, and controls to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the risks associated with storage and removals services.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in operations, best practice, or legal requirements. The most current version of the policy is available for customers, visitors, contractors, and employees to view on request.
By working together and following this policy, we aim to provide a safe and well-managed environment for everyone who uses or supports Storage Bowes Park.
