Storage Poplar Health and Safety Policy
Storage Poplar is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in our storage facilities and removal operations, including packing, loading, transport and unloading activities.
Policy Statement
The management of Storage Poplar recognises that high standards of health and safety are essential to the efficient operation of our storage and removal services. We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures.
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Health and safety is a core management responsibility and a condition of employment for all staff. Continuous improvement is promoted through regular review, training and communication.
Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for:
Ensuring that effective health and safety management systems are in place and adequately resourced.
Setting clear objectives for health and safety performance and monitoring progress.
Providing and maintaining safe premises, plant, equipment and vehicles for storage and removals work.
Ensuring staff receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision.
Undertaking regular risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and acting on the findings.
Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it as necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Storage Poplar have 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.
Follow safe systems of work, training and instructions provided by the company.
Use machinery, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment and safety devices properly.
Report hazards, defects, accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors are expected to:
Comply with site safety rules and follow instructions given by Storage Poplar staff.
Use designated walkways, loading bays and parking areas.
Supervise any children and vulnerable persons in their care at all times.
Ensure that items stored or presented for removal are safe to handle and transport, and are correctly packed and labelled where required.
Risk Management and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments covering our storage facilities and removal operations. These assessments consider manual handling, vehicle movements, use of lifting equipment, working at height, fire safety, hazardous substances, security and general welfare.
Findings from risk assessments are used to establish safe systems of work, including step by step procedures for loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and retrieving goods, operating handling equipment and managing customer access areas.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling and lifting are key activities in storage and removals. To minimise the risk of injury:
All staff receive manual handling training, including safe lifting techniques, use of trolleys and team lifting methods.
Where practical, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, pallet trucks or lifting equipment are provided and used.
Items are assessed for weight, shape and stability before being lifted or moved.
Staff are instructed not to lift loads that are too heavy or awkward, and to request assistance where necessary.
Vehicle, Driving and Traffic Safety
We take steps to ensure safe use of vehicles and control of traffic at our sites and during removal operations:
Only authorised and trained personnel may drive company vehicles or operate specialist equipment.
Vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Loading and unloading areas are kept as clear as possible, with attention to reversing, blind spots and pedestrian movements.
Drivers must follow company driving standards, including safe speeds, rest periods and secure load practices.
Storage Facility Safety
Our storage facilities are managed to reduce risk to employees and customers:
Units and aisles are kept tidy, with clear access routes and marked walkways where appropriate.
Stacking heights are controlled to prevent toppling and to allow safe retrieval.
Fire detection and prevention measures are implemented, with clear instructions for evacuation.
Prohibited or restricted items are clearly communicated to customers to prevent unsafe storage of dangerous or illegal goods.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain arrangements to protect people in the event of fire or other emergencies:
Fire risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly.
Alarm systems, extinguishers and emergency lighting are installed and checked on a scheduled basis.
Emergency exits and escape routes are kept clear at all times and are clearly signed.
Staff are trained in fire and emergency procedures, including evacuation, raising the alarm and assisting customers.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Poplar provides ongoing training to ensure staff are competent in their roles and aware of health and safety responsibilities. This includes induction training for new employees, role specific training for removal crews and storage staff, refresher training where appropriate and toolbox talks on relevant topics.
Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, signage and written procedures. Adequate supervision is provided to ensure safe working practices are followed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous conditions must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. The company maintains records of incidents, investigates causes and takes corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents are reported to the relevant authorities in line with legal obligations.
Monitoring and Review
Storage Poplar monitors health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident reviews and staff feedback. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed on a regular basis, and whenever there are significant changes to operations, to ensure they remain effective and up to date.
By working together and following the principles in this policy, we aim to provide a safe environment for everyone using our storage and removal services.
