Clause 4.15.1 - General
You must have procedures which describe how you perform these activities. REMEMBER : this is not limited to your warehouse or stores department. Rather, you should consider how you handle and store items wherever they are moved, stored or used. Think of this as "Material Control" section, instead of just a stores procedure.
Clause 4.15.2 - Handling
Your procedures must describe how goods are handled in order to prevent damage.
For example, in the case of electronic items and components, this would include anti-static procedures. In the case of glass products this would include protective clothing, gloves, masks, etc which protect the goods from the workers and the workers from the goods. If you use lifting equipment, such as forklift trucks or chains, etc, your procedures should cover the use and maintenance of this equipment, and the training requirements for users of the equipment.
Clause 4.15.3 - Storage
Your procedures should include details of how items are stored. This may include methods of stacking, safe maximum heights, etc. You should have "designated areas" (ie specified locations) where goods are stored. You should ensure that there is an appropriate level of control on the withdrawal and depositing of goods in the stores area.
You must review the stock held by your organisation at appropriate intervals, in order that obsolete, damaged or unusable items are removed.
Clause 4.15.4 - Packaging
Your procedures should address any packaging requirements. This may include guidance on different types of packing required for different types of transport. The packaging may also extend to that used when issuing goods. For example, they may be kitted using plastic bags, which are then placed in a wire basket, etc.
Clause 4.15.5 - Preservation
this clause is a generic requirement to ensure that items are kept separate (e.g. so that similar-looking items are stored so that there is little or no chance of their being intermixed) and that they do not become damaged or deteriorate whilst in storage or during processing.
Clause 4.15.6 - Delivery
Once the items have undergone final inspection (see Inspection - 4.10) you must ensure that they are protected from damage, deterioration or adjustment, etc.
Where it is part of your contract or agreement with your customer to deliver the goods to them, your procedures should address these activities (e.g. control of your vehicles or selection of the courier and recording of collection by the courier, etc)
