Storage Chase Cross Health and Safety Policy
Storage Chase Cross is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling of goods, and removal services. We aim to prevent accidents, protect property, and promote a positive safety culture across all of our activities.
Policy Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, to safeguard the security and integrity of stored goods, and to protect the welfare of all people who access our premises. We will continually improve our safety standards, review performance regularly, and ensure that health and safety considerations form an integral part of the way we operate our storage and removal services.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Ultimate responsibility for health and safety at Storage Chase Cross rests with senior management, who ensure that adequate resources, training, and supervision are provided. Line managers are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas, monitoring working practices, and addressing any safety concerns promptly. Every employee, regardless of role, is required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Contractors, including those supporting our removal and transport services, must comply with this policy and any site-specific safety instructions provided on arrival. Customers and visitors are encouraged to follow all posted signage and spoken guidance and to report any hazards they notice while on site.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering all key activities, including storage area access, handling and moving of items, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, and the use of handling equipment. These assessments are documented, reviewed at planned intervals, and updated following any significant change in our operations, facilities, or processes.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, we put in place safe systems of work and appropriate control measures. These may include designated walkways, restricted access zones, clear stacking limits for storage units, and defined procedures for loading and unloading vehicles. Employees receive clear guidance on these systems and are expected to follow them at all times.
Safe Handling, Lifting, and Removal Operations
Storage and removal activities often involve lifting, carrying, and transporting items of various sizes and weights. To reduce the risk of manual handling injuries, we provide suitable handling aids such as trolleys and dollies where required. Staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and correct use of equipment to minimise strain and avoid accidents.
When conducting removal and transport operations, routes are planned to reduce unnecessary handling and to ensure that items are loaded and secured safely. Vehicles are positioned carefully for loading and unloading, with attention to pedestrian traffic and other site users. Only trained personnel operate mechanical equipment, and all equipment is maintained in good working order.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
A clean, orderly environment is essential to safe storage and removal operations. We maintain good housekeeping standards across all internal and external areas, keeping walkways clear, exits unobstructed, and storage units tidy. Spillages, damaged flooring, or other hazards are dealt with promptly, and waste materials are disposed of in designated containers.
Lighting levels are maintained to allow safe movement and handling, and ventilation is provided where necessary. Any defects in the building fabric, including doors, ramps, or loading bays, must be reported immediately so that remedial action can be taken without delay.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Chase Cross maintains appropriate fire safety measures tailored to the nature of stored goods and site layout. Fire detection and alarm systems are tested at regular intervals, and firefighting equipment is inspected and maintained. Clear signage indicates escape routes, assembly points, and the location of fire safety equipment.
All employees receive instruction on fire and emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm, how to evacuate the building safely, and where to assemble. Evacuation routes must be kept clear at all times. Customers and visitors are expected to follow staff directions during any emergency and not to re-enter the premises until it is confirmed safe to do so.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide all employees with the information, instruction, and training necessary to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training for new starters, task-specific training for storage and removal operations, and refresher training when procedures change or new risks are identified.
Supervisors monitor working practices, correct unsafe behaviour, and support staff in applying safety procedures consistently. Safety notices and signage are displayed prominently to remind staff, customers, and contractors of key rules, including maximum load limits, no-smoking areas, and restricted access zones.
Visitor and Customer Safety
Customers and visitors are welcomed onto our premises on the understanding that they follow all posted safety instructions. Access routes, parking areas, and loading zones are clearly marked to minimise the risk of collisions or trips. Customers using trolleys or other equipment will be shown how to use them safely and are asked to return them to designated areas after use.
Children and vulnerable persons must be supervised at all times while on site. Hazardous areas, such as staff-only storage zones, loading bays, or plant rooms, are restricted to authorised personnel. Any unsafe behaviour or breach of safety rules may result in access being limited or withdrawn.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly so that they can be investigated and corrective actions taken. Incident reports are reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in our storage and removal practices. Where necessary, we revise risk assessments, update procedures, or provide additional training.
We encourage open communication about health and safety and welcome suggestions from employees, customers, and contractors on how we can improve. This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with best practice for safe storage and removal services.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by the management of Storage Chase Cross and will be reviewed periodically, or sooner if significant changes occur in our operations or in the nature of the risks we manage. A copy of this policy is available to all employees, customers, and contractors on request and is displayed in key areas on site.
