Storage Fortis Green Health and Safety Policy
Storage Fortis Green is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with storage operations and removal services, including handling, transport, loading, and unloading of goods.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of our business performance and reputation. Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing sensible precautions.
Our Health and Safety Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety at Storage Fortis Green rests with senior management. They are responsible for ensuring that appropriate resources, systems, and competent persons are in place to implement this policy and monitor its effectiveness.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of health and safety arrangements in their areas. This includes planning work safely, giving clear instructions, providing relevant information, and ensuring that employees follow safe systems of work, particularly during lifting, carrying, loading, and driving duties.
We will review this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, technology, or legal requirements, to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removals activities.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have an important role in maintaining a safe workplace. Every employee must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow all health and safety procedures, instructions, and training provided by Storage Fortis Green, especially in relation to manual handling, use of equipment, housekeeping, and vehicle safety.
Correctly use work equipment, personal protective equipment, and safety devices issued to them, and report any defects or concerns to their manager without delay.
Cooperate fully with management to enable compliance with health and safety legislation and internal procedures.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, and health concerns as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken to prevent recurrence.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments to identify hazards associated with our storage and removal services, including:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes, and equipment.
Use of trolleys, lifting aids, and other handling equipment.
Loading and unloading vehicles, including at customer premises.
Vehicle movements in yards, loading bays, and public areas.
Working in confined spaces within storage units and corridors.
Fire safety and emergency evacuation.
These assessments inform our safe systems of work and control measures. We implement practical measures such as safe lifting techniques, team lifts for heavy or awkward items, route planning to minimise reversing and congestion, and clear procedures for securing loads in vehicles and storage units.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Fortis Green provides employees with information, instruction, and training necessary to perform their roles safely. This includes:
Induction training covering general health and safety rules, accident reporting, emergency procedures, and welfare arrangements.
Specific training on manual handling, use of handling equipment, safe stacking and storage of goods, and vehicle safety for staff involved in removal and transport operations.
Refresher training at appropriate intervals, and additional training when procedures, equipment, or work processes change.
Supervisors monitor work practices to confirm that training is being applied and that safe methods are followed consistently, particularly when working at customer locations where site conditions may vary.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
We aim to maintain our premises, vehicles, and equipment in a condition that is safe and without risks to health. This includes:
Keeping access routes, corridors, stairways, and loading areas clear and free of obstruction.
Ensuring storage areas are well organised, with loads stacked securely and within safe height and weight limits.
Maintaining good lighting and ventilation to enable safe movement and handling of goods.
Providing suitable welfare facilities for employees, including rest areas and sanitary facilities.
Arranging routine inspections of workplace areas and vehicles to identify and remedy hazards such as damaged racking, uneven flooring, or vehicle defects.
Equipment, Vehicles, and Maintenance
Equipment and vehicles used in our storage and removal activities are selected, maintained, and inspected to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose. We will:
Carry out regular maintenance in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Remove from service any equipment or vehicles that are unsafe until defects are repaired or items replaced.
Provide training for employees in the correct use and basic pre use checks of handling equipment and vehicles.
Ensure that lifting aids, trolleys, and other mechanical assistance are used wherever reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We have procedures in place to protect people and property in the event of fire or other emergencies. These include:
Maintaining suitable fire detection and fire fighting equipment.
Providing clear information on emergency exits, evacuation routes, and assembly points.
Conducting regular fire drills and testing alarm systems.
Ensuring employees and regular contractors are familiar with emergency arrangements, including at customer premises where they may be required to follow local site rules.
Monitoring, Consultation, and Continuous Improvement
Storage Fortis Green monitors health and safety performance through incident reporting, workplace inspections, and periodic reviews of risk assessments and procedures. We use this information to identify trends, implement improvements, and share learning with employees.
We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees and contractors are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in discussions about safe working practices in storage environments, on the road, and at customer locations.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Fortis Green aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for all those who work with us and use our storage and removal services.
