Storage Canary Wharf Health And Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy explains how Storage Canary Wharf manages risks to protect customers, visitors, contractors, and staff across our storage and removal service operations. Our objective is to provide secure, well maintained facilities and safe working practices for everyone using or working within our premises.
Commitment To Health And Safety
Storage Canary Wharf is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety, and welfare. We allocate appropriate resources to health and safety, review this policy regularly, and seek continual improvement through monitoring, inspections, and feedback from customers and employees.
Senior management is responsible for setting clear expectations and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all storage and removal activities, including handling, transport, loading, unloading, and use of equipment.
Legal Compliance And Responsibilities
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry guidance. Our managers, supervisors, and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe systems of work and for promoting good practice. Employees must take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, follow training and instructions, and report any hazards or incidents promptly.
Customers, visitors, and contractors using our storage or removal services are expected to act responsibly, follow displayed safety information, and cooperate with our staff in implementing safe procedures.
Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering our storage areas, vehicle loading zones, corridors, lifts, stairwells, and any areas used for removal and handling operations. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, working at height, vehicle movements, and use of trolleys and lifting equipment.
Where risks are identified, we implement controls such as clear walkways, appropriate signage, limits on storage heights, use of suitable handling aids, and safe traffic routes for vehicles and pedestrians. Safe systems of work are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or layout.
Premises Safety And Housekeeping
We aim to maintain all storage units, corridors, access routes, and loading areas in a clean, orderly, and hazard free condition. Floors should be kept dry and unobstructed, and waste material is removed promptly. Any damage to doors, units, walls, or safety features is reported and repaired as soon as reasonably practicable.
Fire exits and escape routes must never be blocked by stored items, packing materials, or removal equipment. Signage is displayed to remind customers and staff to keep these areas clear at all times.
Fire Safety And Emergency Procedures
We maintain appropriate fire detection and alarm systems and clearly marked escape routes. Fire safety equipment is inspected at suitable intervals. Staff are instructed on emergency evacuation procedures, assembly points, and how to raise the alarm.
Customers and visitors must familiarise themselves with local fire instructions displayed on site, avoid storing prohibited or highly flammable items, and follow any directions from our team during an emergency or drill.
Manual Handling And Use Of Equipment
Manual handling is a key element of storage and removal work. We promote safe lifting techniques, the use of handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and pallet equipment where available, and encourage planning of lifts to avoid unnecessary strain. Employees receive training in correct lifting and carrying methods and are expected to ask for assistance when handling large or heavy items.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate mechanical equipment provided by the facility. Any defects or concerns about equipment safety must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use where necessary.
Vehicle And Loading Area Safety
Loading bays, access roads, and parking areas are managed to minimise the risk of accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. Drivers and removal teams are expected to park considerately, adhere to site speed limits, and follow guidance from our staff during loading and unloading.
Where possible, segregation between moving vehicles and walking routes is maintained. Extra care must be taken in poor lighting or adverse weather conditions, and when handling bulky items that can obscure vision.
Customer And Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors are responsible for ensuring that the items they bring for storage or removal are safe, comply with our terms and conditions, and do not pose undue risk of fire, explosion, leakage, or contamination. Restricted and hazardous goods must not be stored or transported through our services.
Customers should use suitable packaging, avoid overloading boxes, use the handling aids provided where permitted, and observe all safety signage and staff instructions while on site. Children and pets must be supervised at all times and kept away from loading and vehicle movement areas.
Training, Information, And Supervision
We provide employees with appropriate information, instruction, and training relevant to their roles, including induction, manual handling, fire safety, emergency procedures, and safe use of equipment. Training needs are reviewed periodically and updated as operations or regulations change.
Supervisors are responsible for reinforcing safe behaviours, monitoring compliance with procedures, and addressing unsafe practices promptly and fairly.
Incident Reporting And Investigation
All accidents, near misses, property damage, and safety concerns must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. We record and investigate incidents to understand root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
We encourage open reporting and will not tolerate any form of victimisation arising from raising genuine health and safety concerns.
Policy Review And Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our storage and removal operations. Reviews take into account changes in legislation, best practice, our facilities, and feedback from employees and customers.
By choosing to use Storage Canary Wharf, customers, visitors, and contractors agree to cooperate with this policy and with any site specific rules that support the safety of everyone on the premises.
