Place goods into storage

This standard is about placing goods into storage. This could be to meet customer demand and fulfil future orders or to store goods safely and securely until they are needed. It involves identifying locations for the size, weight or type of goods, including their usage or turnover.

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained and hold current certification, where required, in line with relevant legislation.

This standard is relevant to all operatives who place goods into storage as part of their job role.

1.    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2.    assess the risks associated with the work before starting and throughout the activity, take action to minimise risks where possible or report in line with organisational procedures
3.    confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out is worn at all times, in line with organisational procedures
4.    confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required
5.    check information to confirm the goods to be stored and the storage location and conditions required, in line with organisational procedures
6.    confirm that the area to be used for storage is prepared and ready to receive the goods
7.    identify any health, safety, security and environmental issues relating to the goods to be stored
8.    handle goods safely using suitable handling methods and equipment
9.    place goods into storage in line with operational and organisational procedures for safety, space utilisation and distribution requirements
10.    identify monitoring and storage arrangements for the goods, in line with organisational procedures
11.    identify any hygiene or contamination issues with the goods and report these in line with organisational procedures
12.    maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out the work
13.    deal effectively with issues that arise within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and competence and report issues which cannot be resolved, in line with organisational procedures
14.    maintain the work area in a clean and tidy condition throughout the activity
15.    complete all the relevant documentation and other information in line with legal requirements and organisational procedures
16.    maintain and store the required records in line with relevant legal and organisational requirements

1.    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2.    how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the work being carried out, and the suitable control measures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) that can be put in place to reduce risks
3.    the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when placing goods into storage
4.    the types of goods being stored by the organisation
5.    the organisation’s policies and procedures and the relevant legal and organisational requirements relating to the storage of goods
6.    the information required to place goods into storage and where to obtain it
7.    how to use and update the stock control systems used by the organisation
8.    the storage conditions required by the different types of goods stored by the organisation
9.    the importance of preparing storage areas, including cleaning and clearing obstructions
10.    the handling methods and equipment that are required to place the goods into storage safely and without damage
11.    the hygiene and biosecurity procedures associated with storing different types of goods
12.    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain communication and work effectively with colleagues when carrying out your work
13.    the issues that may occur when placing goods into storage, the actions to take and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
14.    the importance of maintaining the work area in a clean and tidy condition when carrying out work activities and the organisational standards for this
15.    the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Equipment: e.g. tools, implements, machinery, lifts, conveyors, cranes, sack barrows, vehicle ramps, piano wheels, dollies, trucks, trolleys, skates, roller sets, stair climbers, shoulder straps and webbing, ladders

Handling methods: manual, mechanical, gravity

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Issues with storing goods: size, weight, quantity, location, access, stock turnover, damages

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear

Safe System of Work (SSoW) is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Stock control systems: manual, computerised, warehouse management systems, radio frequency

Storage location and conditions could include:

• General ambient storage
• Fulfilment or E-commerce
• Restricted access – Bonded, Hazardous, Special licences, eg Pharmaceuticals, Veterinary drugs
• Segregated
• Quarantined
• Ventilated
• Temperature controlled
• Bulk storage for holding liquids, powders or grain
• External yard storage for larger, weather-resistant goods