Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Haringey
Self Storage Haringey is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, removal partners and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks across our self storage and associated removal and handling activities. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by maintaining safe premises, safe systems of work and clear responsibilities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to operate our storage facilities and associated services in a way that protects people, property and the environment. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and any relevant industry guidance. We will regularly review our procedures to reflect changes in operations, technology and best practice.
We will provide appropriate information, instruction and training so that employees and contractors can work safely. We also expect our customers, visitors and any appointed removal companies to cooperate with site rules and safety guidance issued by Self Storage Haringey.
Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company’s senior management. Management will provide adequate resources to implement this policy, including staff training, equipment maintenance and risk control measures. Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that this policy is communicated, understood and implemented in their areas of control.
Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They must follow training, site procedures and safe working practices, and report hazards, near misses, defects or incidents without delay.
Customers, visitors and removal operatives using our premises must comply with all safety notices, instructions from staff and the conditions of use for storage units. They are responsible for handling and securing their own goods safely and for ensuring that any third parties they bring onto the site behave safely and in accordance with this policy.
Risk Assessment and Control
We will carry out regular risk assessments covering the self storage areas, customer access routes, loading bays, vehicle movements, stairways, lifts and any other relevant areas. The aim of these assessments is to identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement proportionate control measures.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, they will be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing appropriate measures such as physical safeguards, clear signage, personal protective equipment where required, and safe systems of work. Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and following any significant change in our operations.
Safe Access, Traffic and Pedestrian Management
We will manage vehicle and pedestrian movements on site to reduce the risk of collisions and injuries. This includes designated parking and loading areas, clear walkways and the use of barriers and signage where appropriate. Drivers of removal vehicles and private vehicles must observe speed limits, traffic directions and staff instructions at all times.
Pedestrians should use marked walkways and avoid standing behind or close to moving or reversing vehicles. Any reversing manoeuvres should be carried out slowly and with appropriate visibility. Where necessary, removal operatives are encouraged to use a guide when reversing larger vehicles.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Many activities in self storage and removals involve lifting, carrying and moving items. To minimise the risk of strains and injuries, we promote safe manual handling techniques. Staff and, where appropriate, regular contractors receive manual handling guidance and are encouraged to use mechanical aids such as trolleys, sack trucks, pallet trucks or lift equipment provided on site.
Customers and removal companies are expected to plan loads carefully, avoid overloading trolleys, and lift within their physical capability. Where equipment is provided by Self Storage Haringey, it must be used only for its intended purpose, returned after use and reported immediately if damaged or faulty.
Storage Unit Safety and Prohibited Items
To protect all users of the facility, certain items are strictly prohibited from storage. These typically include explosives, flammable or combustible substances, compressed gas cylinders, toxic, corrosive or hazardous chemicals, perishable foodstuffs, live animals and any illegal goods or materials. Customers are responsible for ensuring that all stored items are safe, non-hazardous and suitably packaged.
Goods must be stacked in a stable manner within units, with heavier items at the bottom and lighter or fragile items on top. Customers and removal teams should avoid creating trip hazards or obstructing access routes. Doors to units and communal areas must be kept clear, and aisles within the facility must not be blocked at any time.
Housekeeping, Maintenance and Fire Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to reduce slips, trips, falls and fire risks. We will keep floors, corridors, stairs and loading bays as clear as reasonably practicable. Spillages will be cleaned promptly and defective lighting, flooring or fittings will be reported and repaired in a timely manner.
Fire safety measures include clearly marked fire exits, emergency lighting, alarm systems and appropriate extinguishers where applicable. Customers, staff and visitors must not block fire exits, misuse fire equipment or tamper with alarms or safety devices. Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is only permitted in designated outdoor areas and is not allowed inside buildings or units.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide employees with information and training relevant to their roles, including induction training, emergency procedures, fire safety and manual handling where necessary. Refresher training will be provided when appropriate. Contractors and removal partners who work regularly on site may receive additional site-specific information.
Signage, written guidance and verbal instructions will be used to communicate key safety information to customers and visitors. Staff will monitor compliance with safety rules and provide guidance or intervention where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries, property damage and dangerous occurrences on site must be reported as soon as possible to a member of staff. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Records of accidents and incidents will be maintained in accordance with legal requirements.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious accidents and other significant events. In an emergency, all persons on site must follow staff instructions, use the nearest safe exit, and proceed to the designated assembly area. Re-entry to the building will only be allowed once it is confirmed as safe by an authorised person.
Consultation, Monitoring and Review
We welcome feedback from employees, customers and contractors on health and safety matters. Concerns about unsafe conditions, equipment or behaviour should be raised with staff so that appropriate action can be taken. Regular inspections and audits will be carried out to monitor compliance with this policy and the effectiveness of our controls.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, business activities or identified risks. The latest version will be available on request and displayed or signposted at the facility so that all users are aware of our commitment to health and safety.
