Health and Safety Policy for Stora London
Stora London is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and responsible environment for everyone who works with us, visits our premises, or is affected by our operations. This health and safety policy sets out the principles that guide our approach to managing risk, preventing harm, and promoting a culture where safety is treated as a shared responsibility. We believe that a strong safety framework supports wellbeing, productivity, and trust.
Our policy is built on the understanding that accidents and ill health are not inevitable. They can be prevented through careful planning, effective control measures, clear communication, and consistent supervision. At Stora London, we aim to integrate safe working practices into day-to-day operations so that health and safety is not seen as a separate task, but as part of how we do business. Everyone is expected to contribute to this standard by working responsibly and reporting concerns promptly.
The management team has overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy. However, safety does not depend on leadership alone. It is supported by every employee, contractor, and visitor who follows site rules, uses equipment correctly, and respects agreed procedures. We encourage an open culture in which people feel able to raise hazards, near misses, or improvement opportunities without hesitation. This approach helps us respond early and reduce the likelihood of incidents.
Our Commitment to Safety
Stora London will take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those affected by our activities. This includes providing suitable training, maintaining safe equipment, and ensuring work areas are organised and clean. We will also assess risks before new tasks, processes, or arrangements are introduced. By reviewing risks regularly, we can make sure our controls remain effective and relevant.
Our commitment extends beyond preventing physical injury. We recognise that workplace wellbeing also includes fatigue management, mental health awareness, and the prevention of stress-related harm. Where appropriate, we will provide information and support to help staff manage workloads safely and sustainably. A positive safety culture depends on respect, clear expectations, and the confidence to ask for help when needed.
Emergency preparedness is another important part of this policy. We will maintain appropriate procedures for fire safety, evacuation, first aid, incident response, and reporting. Drills and reviews will be carried out so that people know what to do in an emergency. Equipment and systems essential to safety will be checked and maintained to help ensure they remain reliable in normal use and under pressure.
Responsibilities and Standards
Managers must lead by example and make sure safety controls are applied consistently. They are responsible for identifying hazards, implementing preventive actions, and ensuring that staff receive the instruction they need. Workers are expected to cooperate with these measures, follow safe systems of work, and use protective equipment where required. Contractors and suppliers must also meet the standards expected by Stora London while on our premises or working on our behalf.
We will provide relevant information, instruction, and supervision to support safe operations. Training will be tailored to the risks involved and refreshed where necessary. Employees should not carry out work they have not been trained to do, and no one should bypass controls for convenience or speed. Safe behaviour is a condition of working with us, not an optional extra.
The company will also monitor safety performance through inspections, audits, and incident reviews. When issues are identified, corrective actions will be taken and responsibilities assigned. We view incident reporting as a learning tool, not a blame exercise. This allows us to improve procedures, strengthen controls, and reduce repeated problems over time.
Risk assessment is central to how we manage health and safety. We will evaluate work activities, identify likely hazards, and apply suitable controls based on the level of risk. Where hazards cannot be eliminated entirely, we will reduce exposure as far as reasonably possible through engineering solutions, safe procedures, supervision, and the use of personal protective equipment. These measures will be reviewed whenever circumstances change.
In addition, Stora London is committed to maintaining facilities and work environments that support safe performance. This includes good housekeeping, adequate lighting, appropriate storage, and safe access routes. Equipment should only be used for its intended purpose and must be taken out of service if defects are found. Proper maintenance helps protect both people and operations.
Communication is essential to effective safety management. We will share policy updates, procedural changes, and important findings with those affected. Staff will be encouraged to contribute ideas for improvement, because those carrying out the work often have the best insight into practical risks. Listening to concerns and acting on them helps create a stronger, more resilient workplace.
Review, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement
This policy will be reviewed regularly to make sure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with the nature of our work. Reviews will also take place after significant incidents, major changes, or where monitoring shows that improvements are needed. We are committed to continuous improvement and to learning from experience, both within our organisation and from wider industry practice.
Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all relevant parties. Failure to follow safety requirements may result in corrective action, retraining, or other measures appropriate to the situation. More importantly, non-compliance can place people at risk and undermine the shared values on which Stora London depends. By working together with care and discipline, we can protect people, prevent harm, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all.