Health and Safety Policy for Silvertown Storage

Silvertown Storage is committed to providing a safe, well-managed environment for employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This health and safety policy sets out the standards, responsibilities, and working practices that support safe operations across all storage activities. Our aim is to prevent accidents, reduce risks, and maintain a culture where safety is treated as a shared responsibility.

As a storage provider, we recognise that safe operations depend on careful planning, consistent supervision, and regular review. This policy applies to all areas of the business, including loading bays, storage zones, circulation routes, maintenance tasks, and administrative activities. It is designed to support practical controls that protect people, property, and the wider working environment.

We will ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into daily decision-making. This includes assessing hazards, implementing suitable control measures, and encouraging staff to raise concerns without delay. Preventive action is always preferred to reactive correction, and all reasonable steps will be taken to reduce foreseeable harm.

Silvertown Storage accepts its duty to provide safe systems of work and to maintain equipment in a condition suitable for use. This includes regular inspection of storage areas, clear housekeeping standards, and appropriate arrangements for emergency response. Any unsafe condition identified during normal operations will be addressed promptly and recorded where necessary.

We expect all personnel to act responsibly and to follow established procedures. This means using equipment correctly, observing signage, respecting access restrictions, and reporting incidents, near misses, or unsafe behaviour. Good health and safety performance relies on cooperation, awareness, and a willingness to stop work when conditions are unsuitable.

The company will provide appropriate instruction, information, and supervision so that employees can carry out their duties safely. Training may include manual handling awareness, safe use of equipment, fire precautions, emergency arrangements, and the correct approach to reporting hazards. Competence is a key part of our safety culture, and we will review training needs whenever tasks, equipment, or responsibilities change.

Key Safety Principles

Our health and safety management approach is based on clear principles that support consistent control across the business. These principles include:

• identifying hazards before work begins;
• assessing the level of risk and selecting suitable controls;
• maintaining tidy and unobstructed workspaces;
• using equipment only for its intended purpose;
• separating pedestrians and vehicle movements where possible;
• making sure emergency routes remain accessible;
• reviewing incidents to prevent recurrence.

These principles are applied in everyday tasks, from receiving goods to storing items and supporting customer access. Risk management is not a one-off exercise; it is a continuous process that depends on awareness, discipline, and regular checks. Where work involves higher risk, additional controls will be introduced before the task proceeds.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for setting expectations, providing suitable resources, and monitoring compliance with this policy. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that safe working practices are followed, hazards are addressed, and new or changing risks are assessed. They must also encourage open communication so that problems can be raised early and acted upon effectively.

Employees and contractors are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and others. They must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment where required, and avoid unsafe shortcuts. Everyone working at Silvertown Storage has a role in supporting a safe workplace, and no task is so urgent that it justifies ignoring safety requirements.

Visitors and other third parties must comply with site rules, remain within permitted areas, and follow any direction given by authorised staff. Where additional controls are needed for non-routine work, such as maintenance or temporary access arrangements, those controls will be explained before the activity begins. This helps ensure that all parties understand the risks and the actions needed to remain safe.

Risk Control and Working Practices

Silvertown Storage will assess the risks associated with storage, handling, movement, and access arrangements. Particular attention will be given to manual handling, slips and trips, fire safety, equipment use, and the storage of items that may present a hazard if poorly placed or incorrectly handled. Controls will be proportionate to the nature of the risk and reviewed whenever circumstances change.

Housekeeping standards are essential to safe operation. Floors, aisles, and communal areas must be kept clear of waste, packaging, and obstructions. Spills should be dealt with quickly, damaged equipment must be removed from service, and storage should be arranged to prevent collapse or falling items. Good housekeeping supports both safety and efficiency.

Fire precautions, emergency procedures, and evacuation arrangements will be maintained in line with the risks present on site. Staff must know how to respond in an emergency, including the safe use of alarms, exits, and assembly arrangements. Emergency equipment will be checked routinely so that it remains suitable and available when needed.

Reporting, Review, and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, near misses, hazards, and health and safety concerns must be reported promptly through the appropriate internal process. Early reporting helps the business investigate causes, identify trends, and introduce corrective actions before harm is repeated. A no-blame approach will be used to encourage openness and support learning.

This policy will be reviewed regularly to confirm that it remains effective, current, and aligned with the risks associated with storage operations. Reviews may also be triggered by changes in work activity, equipment, staffing, or legal expectations. Records, inspections, and findings from incident investigations will inform future improvements.

Silvertown Storage is committed to maintaining a workplace where safety, responsibility, and professionalism are embedded in everyday practice. By following this policy and supporting one another, we can protect people, reduce disruption, and ensure that storage operations are carried out in a safe and controlled manner. Health and safety is not an isolated function; it is part of how we work, plan, and care for everyone involved.