Storage Barnes Health and Safety Policy
Storage Barnes is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk within our storage facilities and removal services, including handling, loading, transport and delivery activities.
We recognise our duty to prevent accidents, protect health, and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry standards. We expect everyone working with or on behalf of Storage Barnes to actively contribute to maintaining a safe workplace and service.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The main aims of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures tailored to storage and removal activities.
Our objectives are to continually improve our safety performance, maintain safe systems of work, provide suitable information, instruction and training, and encourage open reporting of concerns, incidents and near misses so that lessons can be learned and improvements made.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Barnes is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into all business decisions, including the planning and delivery of storage and removal services. Management will allocate appropriate resources, set clear safety expectations and monitor compliance with this policy.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out for tasks such as lifting and carrying, vehicle loading, operation of lifting aids, working at height, and handling of customer goods. They must verify that control measures are in place, equipment is maintained and inspected, and that employees are competent and adequately supervised.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee shares responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Staff must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses without delay.
Employees must never take shortcuts that compromise safety, must co operate with management in implementing safety improvements, and must not misuse or interfere with any item provided for health and safety purposes. Where doubt exists about how to carry out a task safely, employees must seek guidance from a supervisor.
Safe Storage and Warehouse Practices
Storage Barnes will ensure that storage areas, units and warehouses are kept in a clean, orderly and secure condition. Access routes, fire exits and emergency equipment must remain unobstructed at all times. Lighting, ventilation and housekeeping standards will be maintained to reduce slip, trip and fall risks.
Racking, shelving and storage systems will be installed and inspected in line with manufacturer guidance and relevant standards. Loads must be stacked safely, within weight limits and in a stable manner to prevent collapse. Dangerous or prohibited items will not be accepted for storage, and guidance on suitable items will be communicated to customers and staff.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Removals
Removal and handling operations present particular risks, including manual handling injuries, strains and crush injuries. Storage Barnes will provide manual handling training relevant to removal work, including correct lifting techniques, team lifting procedures and the use of equipment such as trolleys, dollies and lifting aids.
Prior to each removal or loading task, staff will assess the weight, shape, stability and condition of items, as well as access constraints, floor conditions and potential obstacles. Where loads are too heavy or awkward, mechanical aids or additional personnel will be used. Staff are instructed not to lift beyond their capability and to refuse unsafe tasks.
Vehicle Safety and Transport
For our removal services, Storage Barnes will ensure that vehicles are suitably maintained, inspected and operated by competent drivers. Load security is a priority, and items must be packed, positioned and restrained to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers and crew must follow safe loading procedures, observe safe working practices around vehicles, and remain vigilant to the risks of reversing, parking and operating near pedestrians. Fatigue management, route planning and weather conditions will be considered to support safe journeys.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We are committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can access our premises and services safely. Clear signage, designated walkways where appropriate and guidance on safe behaviour within storage areas will be provided.
Customers must follow staff instructions, refrain from entering restricted areas and avoid climbing on racking, using equipment without permission or handling heavy items without support. Any hazards noticed by customers or visitors should be promptly reported to a member of staff.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Barnes will provide employees with appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, hazard awareness, emergency procedures, use of equipment and safe driving where applicable.
Safety information will be communicated through briefings, signage and written procedures. Supervisors will check that staff understand and follow these procedures, and will provide additional coaching or refresher training where necessary.
Emergency Preparedness
We will maintain and regularly review procedures for dealing with emergencies such as fire, accidents, spillage of hazardous substances and security incidents. Fire detection and protection systems, first aid arrangements and emergency equipment will be provided and maintained as appropriate.
Employees will be trained in emergency actions, including evacuation, raising the alarm, using fire extinguishers where safe to do so and providing first aid within their level of training. Periodic drills will be conducted to test the effectiveness of our emergency arrangements.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Barnes will monitor health and safety performance through routine inspections, incident reporting, investigation of accidents and near misses, and feedback from employees and customers. Where deficiencies are identified, corrective actions will be implemented and communicated.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, facilities or legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and made available to customers and other interested parties.
By working together and maintaining high standards of awareness, Storage Barnes aims to ensure that all storage and removal activities are carried out safely, responsibly and with respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.
