Storage Lee Health and Safety Policy Statement
Storage Lee is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and storage operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities, and arrangements to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property throughout our services.
Our management team accepts overall accountability for health and safety performance and is committed to continual improvement. Every employee has a duty to work safely, follow instructions, and report concerns so that risks can be effectively managed.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Storage Lee aims to:
Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removals, storage, handling, transport, and related activities.
Comply with applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and recognised industry standards.
Prevent accidents, work-related injuries, and ill health, with a focus on manual handling, vehicle safety, and safe use of equipment.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, supervision, and training for all staff involved in moving, packing, loading, unloading, and storing goods.
Promote a positive health and safety culture where issues are raised promptly and addressed thoroughly.
Review performance at regular intervals to improve our procedures and controls.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Lee will:
Implement and maintain this Health and Safety Policy and ensure it is communicated to all employees and relevant contractors.
Provide suitable resources for health and safety, including equipment, training, and protective measures.
Ensure risk assessments are carried out for all significant hazards, including lifting and carrying, vehicle movements, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, and potential risks in customers premises and storage facilities.
Monitor working practices, investigate incidents, and ensure corrective actions are taken and recorded.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and consider their feedback when updating procedures.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a legal and moral responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:
Follow Storage Lee safety procedures, training, and instructions at all times.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids, and equipment correctly and never misuse or interfere with safety devices.
Conduct basic checks of vehicles and equipment prior to use and report defects immediately.
Wear suitable clothing and any personal protective equipment provided when required.
Report hazards, near misses, injuries, or unsafe practices to a manager without delay.
Cooperate with management in implementing health and safety measures and attending mandatory training.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Lee conducts risk assessments to identify hazards and implement controls for our operations, including removal services, storage handling, and driving activities. These assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in working methods or equipment.
Safe systems of work are in place for tasks such as packing, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and retrieving items in storage, operating lifting equipment, and moving items through confined or shared spaces. Where necessary, job-specific instructions are provided to staff in writing and reinforced through supervision and training.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key risk in the removals and storage sector. Storage Lee takes practical steps to reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries by:
Providing manual handling training focused on correct lifting techniques, team lifts, and use of handling aids.
Using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other equipment wherever reasonably practicable.
Planning lifts in advance to avoid excessive distances, awkward routes, or unstable loads.
Assessing particularly heavy, bulky, or fragile items and applying additional precautions, including extra staff or mechanical assistance.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles and drivers are essential to safe removal and storage operations. Storage Lee will:
Ensure vehicles are maintained, inspected, and serviced in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements.
Require drivers to complete basic vehicle safety checks before use.
Provide guidance on safe loading practices, including weight distribution, securing loads, and preventing movement during transit.
Promote safe driving behaviours, adherence to road traffic laws, and appropriate rest breaks to manage fatigue.
Plan routes carefully to minimise risks associated with access, parking, and loading at customer locations.
Work at Customer Premises and Storage Sites
When working at customer premises or within storage facilities, our staff will:
Conduct a brief on-site assessment to identify hazards such as narrow staircases, uneven ground, poor lighting, or shared access areas.
Take precautions to protect customers, neighbours, and the public, including careful management of access ways and doors.
Use protective coverings or other suitable measures to reduce the risk of damage and slips where necessary.
Keep walkways clear of trip hazards such as packaging materials, straps, or tools during operations.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Lee provides appropriate training for employees relevant to their roles, which may include induction training, manual handling, safe vehicle operation, equipment use, emergency procedures, and incident reporting. Training needs are reviewed periodically and when new equipment, procedures, or services are introduced.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for monitoring working practices, giving clear instructions, and correcting unsafe behaviour. Information on health and safety arrangements is communicated through briefings, written guidance, and ongoing discussions with staff.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All work-related accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly so they can be logged, investigated, and used to improve safety measures. Corrective actions may include changes to procedures, additional training, or equipment improvements.
Storage Lee maintains emergency arrangements for situations such as fire, injury, or vehicle breakdown. Staff are informed of the relevant procedures, including safe evacuation from storage areas, meeting points, and communication routes with management and, where applicable, emergency services.
Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing
Storage Lee recognises that physical and mental wellbeing are vital to safe performance at work. The company aims to:
Provide suitable welfare facilities for staff where reasonably practicable.
Encourage staff to report health issues that may affect their ability to carry out physical or driving duties safely.
Promote sensible workloads, appropriate breaks, and respectful working relationships.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations, or identified risks. The latest version is made available to employees and is available to customers and other interested parties on request.
Storage Lee expects all staff, contractors, and partners to support and uphold this policy in the course of delivering our removal and storage services.
