Storage Eel Pie Island Health and Safety Policy
Storage Eel Pie Island is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks within our storage facilities and during any associated removal or handling activities, so that everyone who uses our services can do so confidently and safely.
Policy Aims and Scope
This policy applies to all areas under the control of Storage Eel Pie Island, including storage units, loading and unloading zones, access routes, offices, and vehicles used in connection with our storage and removal services. It covers employees, agency staff, contractors, customers accessing their storage units, and any other visitors to our premises.
Our aims are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, to provide safe systems of work for storage and removal tasks, and to ensure that all activities are carried out in line with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Eel Pie Island is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. This includes ensuring that suitable resources are in place, that responsibilities are clearly defined, that staff are trained and supervised, and that the working environment is monitored and reviewed regularly.
Managers will seek to identify hazards associated with storage operations, customer access, and removal activities, assess the risks, and introduce practical control measures. They will also ensure that any necessary inspections, servicing, and maintenance of equipment, vehicles, and premises are carried out on a planned basis.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees 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. Staff must follow the safety procedures issued by Storage Eel Pie Island, use equipment correctly, and cooperate fully with any training or instruction provided.
Employees are expected to report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions without delay, so that corrective actions can be taken. Any misuse of equipment, deliberate breach of safety rules, or failure to follow instructions may lead to disciplinary action.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage facilities or interacting with any associated removal services must comply with site rules and any safety guidance provided by staff. This includes observing speed limits, parking only in designated bays, using loading areas correctly, and not obstructing access routes or fire exits.
Customers are responsible for packing and loading their own goods safely and for avoiding prohibited or hazardous items. Visitors must behave responsibly, follow instructions from staff, and ensure that children and other dependants are supervised at all times while on site.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Eel Pie Island carries out risk assessments for its operations, taking into account storage activities, manual handling, use of trolleys and handling equipment, working at height where relevant, and vehicle movements in loading areas.
Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work for staff and guidance for customers. These systems are designed to minimise risks such as slips and trips, falls from height, collisions with vehicles, and injuries from lifting or moving heavy or awkward items during storage or removal tasks.
Safe Storage and Removal Practices
To support safety during the storage and movement of goods, Storage Eel Pie Island promotes the following practices. Items should be packed securely in suitable containers and clearly labelled. Heavy items should be stored at a low level where possible to reduce the risk of strain when lifting. Customers and staff should avoid overloading trolleys or vehicles and should distribute weight evenly.
Where removal services or assisted loading and unloading are provided, staff will follow manual handling guidance, using appropriate equipment and team lifting methods when needed. Items should not be stacked in an unstable manner and must not obstruct aisles, doors, emergency exits, or access to fire equipment.
Premises, Equipment and Vehicle Safety
The safety and condition of our premises and equipment are central to this policy. Storage Eel Pie Island inspects and maintains lighting, doors, access controls, fire safety systems, and emergency signage to support safe use of the facility.
Handling equipment, such as trolleys and other aids, is checked regularly and removed from use if found to be defective. Vehicles used in connection with removal and delivery activities are maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements, and staff operating them are expected to hold appropriate licences and follow safe driving practices.
Training, Information and Supervision
We ensure that employees receive training relevant to their roles, including induction training, manual handling, use of equipment, emergency procedures, and any specialist skills needed for removal operations. Refresher training is provided when necessary, and additional instruction is given if tasks or equipment change.
Information about site rules, emergency arrangements, and safe use of storage units is communicated clearly to customers and visitors. Employees supervise key activities such as loading and unloading where required, and are available to give guidance on safe practices around our facilities.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Storage Eel Pie Island maintains emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, and other foreseeable incidents. Fire alarms, extinguishers, and escape routes are provided and maintained, and staff are instructed in their correct use and in how to guide customers and visitors to safety.
Designated personnel are trained to provide basic first aid and to manage incidents until professional assistance can be obtained. Accidents, incidents, and near misses are recorded and investigated as appropriate, to identify causes and implement improvements.
Hazardous and Prohibited Items
For the safety of everyone on site and to protect our facilities, certain items may not be stored or handled within Storage Eel Pie Island premises. These typically include flammable or explosive substances, corrosive chemicals, gas cylinders, illegal goods, perishable items that may decay, and any materials that present an unreasonable risk to health or property.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that their goods comply with our storage conditions and do not pose an unacceptable risk during handling or removal. Staff are authorised to refuse storage or handling of goods that are unsafe or non-compliant.
Consultation, Monitoring and Policy Review
Storage Eel Pie Island encourages feedback from employees, customers, and contractors on health and safety matters. Concerns, suggestions, and reports of unsafe conditions are taken seriously and reviewed promptly.
This policy is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removal operations. It will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, equipment, premises, or applicable legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers and visitors on request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this Health and Safety policy, Storage Eel Pie Island aims to maintain a secure and well-managed environment for storage, access, and associated removal services.
