Storage Loxford Health and Safety Policy
Storage Loxford is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removal operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles, responsibilities, and procedures for managing health and safety in a consistent and proactive manner.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the success of our storage and removal services. Storage Loxford will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable controls that protect people, goods, vehicles, equipment, and premises.
We will regularly review and improve our systems to ensure that they remain appropriate to the nature and scale of our activities, including packing, lifting, loading, transport, unloading, and storage of customers goods.
Legal Compliance
Storage Loxford will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, regulations, and relevant codes of practice. We will monitor changes in legal requirements and adjust our working practices and procedures to maintain compliance. All employees are expected to cooperate with the company in meeting these obligations and to follow all safety instructions and procedures.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in our operations. However, specific duties are assigned as follows.
Management is responsible for providing effective leadership on health and safety matters, implementing this policy, allocating adequate resources, and ensuring that health and safety objectives are clearly communicated. Management will ensure that risk assessments are carried out and updated and that appropriate training, equipment, and supervision are provided.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that day to day activities are carried out safely in accordance with company procedures. They will monitor work practices, correct unsafe behaviour, report hazards and incidents promptly, and support staff in understanding and applying safe systems of work.
Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must follow all safety rules, attend relevant training, use equipment properly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, near misses, and accidents without delay.
Contractors and visitors must comply with the health and safety rules of Storage Loxford while on our premises or engaged in work on our behalf. Relevant safety information will be communicated to them before or during their visit or work.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Loxford will identify and assess risks associated with storage facilities, vehicle movements, manual handling, use of lifting equipment, packing and loading, housekeeping, and any other work activities carried out. Based on these assessments we will introduce and maintain safe systems of work.
For removal and storage tasks, this includes planning routes and access, assessing parking and loading areas, considering the weight and nature of items to be moved, and taking account of any special customer requirements. Work will only proceed when it can be carried out safely, and any significant changes in conditions will trigger a review of the initial assessment.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Our staff are trained to use safe manual handling techniques to minimise the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. Where reasonably practicable, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, ramps, and lifting devices will be used to reduce the need for manual lifting.
All equipment, including vehicles, lifting aids, and storage fixtures, will be inspected and maintained at appropriate intervals. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service until it has been assessed and repaired or replaced.
Safe Storage and Premises
Storage areas will be managed to ensure that goods are stacked and secured safely, aisles and fire exits are kept clear, and the risk of slips, trips, and falls is minimised. We will maintain appropriate lighting, housekeeping, and signage to assist safe navigation of premises for staff and customers.
Flammable, hazardous, or prohibited materials will not be accepted for storage, or will be subject to strict control measures where legally permitted. Clear guidance is provided to customers regarding what may and may not be stored.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Where driving forms part of our storage and removal services, Storage Loxford will ensure that company vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy. Drivers must hold the correct licence, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that protects themselves, colleagues, customers, and the public.
Loads will be planned, distributed, and secured to prevent movement or damage during transit. Drivers and crew must follow agreed loading procedures and must not exceed vehicle weight limits.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive health and safety induction when they start work with Storage Loxford and further training as required by their role. Training will cover key topics such as manual handling, safe use of equipment, hazard awareness, emergency arrangements, and customer site safety.
We will provide clear and accessible information on health and safety matters, and ensure that employees have appropriate levels of supervision, particularly when they are new to a task or working in higher risk situations.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Miss Reporting
Storage Loxford encourages prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents, and near misses, whether they involve employees, customers, or others. Reports will be recorded, investigated as appropriate, and used to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Where required, we will notify relevant authorities of reportable incidents in accordance with applicable regulations. Lessons learned from investigations will be shared within the business to prevent recurrence.
Emergency Procedures
We maintain procedures for dealing with emergencies such as fire, evacuation, serious injury, and other incidents that may occur in our premises or during removal operations. Employees will be informed of these procedures and, where appropriate, participate in drills to ensure familiarity with their roles.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Loxford values the input of employees, customers, and contractors in improving health and safety performance. We encourage feedback, suggestions, and the reporting of concerns. Where possible, we will consult employees on changes that may affect their health and safety and take their views into account.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or following any major incident. Any updates will be communicated to employees and made available to customers on request.
By working together, we aim to maintain a safe and healthy environment across all Storage Loxford storage and removal activities.
