Health and Safety Policy for Oldoakcommon Storage
Oldoakcommon Storage is committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and responsible environment for staff, contractors, visitors, and anyone handling goods on site. This health and safety policy sets out the standards expected across all storage operations, with a clear focus on preventing injury, protecting property, and reducing avoidable risk. The policy applies to all areas of the facility, including loading spaces, access routes, storage zones, and any areas used for inspection, packing, or internal movement of items.
Our approach is based on practical risk control, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement. Health and safety is treated as an essential part of everyday work rather than a separate task. All activities must be carried out with care, attention, and respect for others using the site. We expect everyone to follow site rules, report concerns promptly, and support a culture where safe behaviour is the normal standard.
The organisation will identify hazards, assess risks, and apply proportionate controls to reduce exposure wherever possible. This includes keeping walkways clear, maintaining good housekeeping, ensuring lighting is adequate, and managing vehicle and pedestrian movement carefully. Oldoakcommon Storage recognises that storage environments can involve manual handling, slipping hazards, and contact with heavy goods, so these risks must be addressed before work begins, not after an incident occurs.
All employees and authorised workers are responsible for working safely and following instructions, procedures, and signage. Managers must make sure that staff receive suitable information, supervision, and training for their duties. Where a task involves lifting, moving, stacking, or using equipment, the person carrying out the work must be competent and alert to the hazards involved. Unsafe shortcuts are not acceptable, even when time is limited.
Manual handling is one of the main areas of concern in any storage facility. Items should be assessed before being moved, and team members should use appropriate handling methods to avoid strain or injury. Heavy or awkward goods should be moved with assistance or equipment where needed. Good technique, stable footing, and clear visibility are essential. If an item appears unstable, damaged, or unsafe to move, the task should be paused until it can be managed properly.
Equipment and tools used on site must be selected, maintained, and used correctly. Trolleys, pallet equipment, ladders, and any mechanical aids should be checked before use and removed from service if faulty. Only trained persons may use equipment that requires specific competence. Regular inspections help ensure that storage operations remain reliable and that hazards are detected early. A safe storage policy depends on consistent maintenance as much as on good behaviour.
Fire prevention is a major part of this policy. Access routes, fire exits, and emergency equipment must remain unobstructed at all times. Flammable materials, packaging waste, and other ignition sources must be managed responsibly. Any fire alarm or emergency instruction must be followed immediately and without hesitation. Staff should understand the importance of reporting damaged electrical items, blocked exits, or unusual heat, smells, or smoke so that action can be taken early.
Security and safety are closely connected within a warehouse and storage environment. Only authorised individuals may enter restricted areas, and doors, gates, and access points must be kept secure. Visitors should be accompanied where necessary and made aware of relevant rules before entering operational areas. The storage of goods must not create concealment points, trip hazards, or obstructions that could make the site unsafe. Order and visibility support both safety and operational control.
Housekeeping standards must remain high throughout the day. Spills should be cleaned promptly, waste should be removed regularly, and storage layouts should be kept tidy and stable. Items must not be stacked beyond safe limits or placed where they could fall, slide, or create congestion. A clean environment is not only more efficient but also reduces the chance of slips, trips, collisions, and damage to stored property.
Reporting is essential to prevention. Any accident, near miss, damage, unsafe condition, or concern about behaviour must be reported as soon as possible so that the issue can be investigated and corrected. This includes concerns about lifting methods, blocked aisles, equipment faults, or unexpected changes in the condition of stored items. The purpose of reporting is improvement, not blame.
Risk assessments will be reviewed whenever there is a significant change to the storage operation, layout, equipment, or type of goods being handled. The policy will also be checked after incidents or when new hazards are identified. Oldoakcommon storage safety depends on keeping procedures relevant and practical, not static. Where necessary, control measures will be strengthened to reflect lessons learned and to maintain a safe working environment.
Everyone on site is expected to contribute to safe practice by staying alert, asking questions when uncertain, and respecting the limits of their own competence. Personal responsibility matters, but it must be supported by clear management, suitable training, and effective supervision. By working together and treating safety as a shared priority, Oldoakcommon Storage can maintain a dependable environment for people, goods, and daily operations.
This policy will be communicated to relevant workers and reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective, proportionate, and aligned with operational needs. Where improvements are identified, they will be implemented without unnecessary delay. The goal is straightforward: to provide a safe storage facility where risks are controlled, standards are upheld, and everyone can carry out their responsibilities with confidence and care.