Warehousing and transport support compliance checklist

Work through Section 1, then the section that matches your kind of operation. If more than one applies, complete each relevant section. Tick off each item once you have confirmed it is in place.

Section 1 — Every warehousing and transport-support business

• Have you identified your general duties as an employer under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment (recorded in writing if you employ five or more people)?
• Have you carried out a fire risk assessment and put fire precautions in place under the fire-safety regime for your nation (RRO 2005 in England and Wales; the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; the NI Order 2006)?
• Are your lifting equipment (LOLER) and work equipment (PUWER) examined, maintained and used safely, and have you addressed manual handling risks?
• If you store dangerous substances, have you assessed and controlled fire and explosion risk under DSEAR — and, if you run cold stores, do you meet the F-gas leak-check and record-keeping duties?
• Do you hold employers' liability insurance of at least £5 million, meet your Equality Act duties, and have a lawful basis for your personal data (registered with the ICO unless exempt)?

Section 2 — Freight forwarding and customs

Complete this section if you forward freight, clear customs for others, or run a bonded warehouse.

• If you make customs declarations for others, have you agreed direct or indirect representation in writing and understood your liability?
• If you store goods under duty and import VAT suspension, do you hold customs warehousing authorisation from HMRC and keep the required stock records?
• If you consign or carry dangerous goods above the thresholds, have you appointed a qualified dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) and do you prepare the annual report?

Section 3 — Support activities at ports, airports and rail

• If you operate or handle cargo at a port, do you meet harbour authority duties and the ISPS port facility security requirements (a security assessment, plan and Port Facility Security Officer)?
• If you operate at an airport, do you meet the CAA aviation security programme (and economic regulation, for larger airports)?
• If you operate a rail terminal, yard or station, do you hold a ROGS safety management system and the safety certificate or authorisation for your role, overseen by the ORR?
• If you move goods by road for hire or reward, do you hold a goods vehicle operator's licence from the Traffic Commissioner?