Storage Wapping Health and Safety Policy
Storage Wapping is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to prevent accidents, protect wellbeing, and maintain safe operations across our storage and removal activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all storage and removal operations in a manner that minimises risk of injury, ill health, and damage to property. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through planning, training, supervision, and regular review of working practices.
We ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into day to day decision making, from accepting items into storage through to handling, loading, transport, and delivery at destination addresses.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Storage Wapping is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes providing adequate resources, information, and supervision to ensure safe working conditions for all staff and contractors.
Managers will identify significant risks associated with storage units, loading bays, vehicle movements, manual handling, and the use of equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids. Where hazards are identified, management will assess the level of risk and introduce appropriate control measures.
Managers are also responsible for ensuring that staff receive suitable induction and refresher training, that incidents are investigated promptly, and that corrective actions are taken where required.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. This includes colleagues, customers, contractors, and visitors on site.
Employees must follow all safety procedures, use equipment properly, report hazards immediately, and cooperate with any health and safety instruction, training, or investigation. Unsafe practices, including the misuse of equipment or failure to follow manual handling guidance, are not tolerated.
Staff carrying out removal work are expected to plan lifts carefully, communicate clearly as a team, and use appropriate moving equipment to minimise risk of strain or injury.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Wapping carries out risk assessments covering storage areas, public access zones, offices, external yards, and vehicle loading points. Particular attention is given to manual handling tasks associated with storage and removals, including lifting, carrying, stacking, and loading goods.
Where reasonably practicable, mechanical or wheeled aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and pallet trucks are provided to reduce the need for manual lifting. Heavy or awkward items are handled by more than one member of staff and, where necessary, lifting plans are prepared for complex removals.
We maintain safe systems of work for moving goods, operating in confined spaces such as corridors and lifts, working at height for stacking, and dealing with bulky or fragile items. Clear walkways are maintained to prevent slips, trips, and falls, and storage units are loaded in a stable and secure manner.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Wapping takes reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors can access storage units and office areas safely. This includes maintaining clear signage, good housekeeping, and appropriate lighting in all routes used for access and egress.
Customers are advised on safe loading and unloading practices and, where they request removal support, our team will follow established safe working procedures. Areas where vehicles are loading or unloading are monitored to limit unauthorised access and reduce the risk of collision.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport
Where Storage Wapping operates or arranges vehicles for removal services, we ensure that vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and that loading is carried out safely and securely. Loads are distributed evenly, restrained properly, and checked before departure.
Drivers and removal operatives are expected to follow safe driving practices, comply with applicable road safety requirements, and report any vehicle defects or near misses immediately. Routes are planned to minimise risks associated with restricted access, tight parking, or difficult loading points.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a core element of our Health and Safety management. Storage Wapping maintains appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and clearly marked escape routes and exits. Fire doors and escape routes are kept unobstructed at all times.
Staff are trained in fire evacuation procedures, including the safe guidance of customers and visitors from the premises. Regular checks and drills are undertaken to confirm that emergency arrangements remain effective.
Welfare, First Aid, and Incident Reporting
Suitable welfare facilities are provided for employees, including access to drinking water and rest areas. First aid provisions are maintained on site, and nominated personnel are trained to provide first aid support when required.
All accidents, near misses, and incidents of ill health occurring in connection with our storage or removal activities must be reported without delay. Reports are recorded, investigated, and analysed to identify root causes, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
Training, Communication, and Consultation
Storage Wapping provides ongoing health and safety training for all employees appropriate to their roles, including manual handling, use of equipment, safe driving, emergency procedures, and hazard awareness. Refresher training is provided periodically or when work practices change.
We communicate relevant safety information to staff, contractors, and customers and encourage open reporting of hazards or concerns. Employees are consulted on health and safety matters that affect them and are encouraged to suggest improvements to working methods.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Compliance with this Health and Safety policy is monitored through inspections, audits, and the review of incident data. Where deficiencies are identified, corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
This policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to operations, premises, or relevant requirements. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to customers and contractors.
By following this Health and Safety policy, Storage Wapping seeks to provide secure storage facilities and reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone who interacts with our business.
