Storage Falconwood Health and Safety Policy
Storage Falconwood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with our storage facilities and removal services. Our goal is to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety requirements, and continually improve our performance.
Policy Aim and Scope
This policy applies to all activities carried out by Storage Falconwood, including storage operations, removals, handling of goods, driving and vehicle loading, and all work undertaken on or in connection with our premises. It covers employees at every level, agency staff, contractors engaged by us, and customers using our storage services or interacting with our teams.
We will provide appropriate resources, information, training, and supervision to ensure that health and safety considerations remain central to how we operate each day.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Falconwood has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will ensure that:
Health and safety responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated, and understood at all levels. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for storage, handling, and removal activities. Safe systems of work and standard operating procedures are developed, implemented, and regularly reviewed. All employees receive appropriate induction, ongoing training, and refresher training, relevant to their roles and the equipment they use. Adequate resources are allocated to maintain safe premises, vehicles, plant, and equipment. Health and safety performance is monitored through inspections, audits, incident investigations, and feedback from staff and customers.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Every member of staff is expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by Storage Falconwood. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles correctly and only for their intended purpose. Immediately report accidents, near misses, damage, hazards, or unsafe conditions to their line manager or the designated responsible person. Wear appropriate clothing and use personal protective equipment provided for particular tasks, such as manual handling or working in loading areas. Refrain from any behaviour that may endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or contractors, including misuse of equipment or ignoring safety guidance.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Falconwood undertakes regular risk assessments to identify hazards and adopt reasonable measures to control them. Key areas include manual handling, stacking and storage, vehicle movements, loading and unloading activities, working at height on vehicles or equipment, and general facility safety such as lighting, access routes, and emergency provisions.
Appropriate control measures may include safe stacking limits, restrictions on heavy items on high shelves, traffic management for vehicles and pedestrians, use of handling aids such as trolleys, and clear signage and floor markings. Documented procedures will be communicated to staff and, when relevant, to customers and contractors.
Manual Handling and Removal Operations
Removals and storage work often involve lifting and moving heavy or awkward items. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Falconwood will:
Provide manual handling training to staff involved in lifting, loading, and unloading. Encourage the use of mechanical aids and team lifting where appropriate. Require employees to assess the weight, shape, and route before moving any item. Prohibit staff from attempting lifts that exceed safe capability or that cannot be managed safely with available assistance. Ensure removal vehicles are loaded and secured in a way that prevents shifting loads and maintains safe weight distribution.
Vehicles, Driving, and Site Traffic
For removal operations and site traffic, we will maintain our vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition, conduct regular checks and servicing of vehicles and lifting equipment, and ensure that drivers are trained, competent, and hold the correct licences where required.
On and around our sites, we will organise traffic routes to separate vehicles and pedestrians wherever possible, use clear signage and markings for loading bays, parking, and restricted areas, and require drivers to follow speed limits, reversing procedures, and any site-specific rules.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Falconwood aims to make our premises safe and accessible for customers and visitors. We will maintain clean, well lit corridors, stairs, and loading areas, keep fire exits and walkways clear, and provide information on safe use of storage units and handling of personal goods.
Customers are expected to follow safety notices, avoid overloading units or blocking aisles, and take care when moving items. Staff are available to provide guidance on safe storage and movement of goods where requested.
Emergency Preparedness
We maintain procedures to deal with emergencies such as fire, major incidents, or serious accidents. This includes clear evacuation routes and assembly points, appropriate firefighting and first aid equipment, and training for staff in emergency response, including how to raise the alarm and assist with evacuation.
Emergency procedures are displayed in suitable locations and are reviewed and tested periodically to ensure they are effective and understood by staff.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly. Storage Falconwood will investigate incidents to determine causes, identify any necessary corrective actions, and prevent recurrence. Records of incidents and corrective actions will be maintained and periodically reviewed to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement.
Consultation and Training
We recognise the value of involving employees in health and safety matters. Storage Falconwood will consult with staff on relevant issues, invite suggestions for improvements, and communicate changes to procedures clearly and promptly. Health and safety training needs will be identified through induction, role requirements, risk assessments, and performance reviews.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage Falconwood is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. We will monitor our performance, review this policy at regular intervals, and update it whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legal requirements, or industry best practice. The current version of this policy is made available to employees, customers, and contractors on request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this Health and Safety Policy, Storage Falconwood aims to provide safe, reliable storage and removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our activities.
