Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Brixton
Self Storage Brixton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage facilities and related removal support services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing injury and protecting property while delivering efficient storage and handling solutions.
Policy Statement
Our aim is to operate our storage premises and associated activities in a manner that minimises the risk of accident, injury, ill health or damage. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and we will continually seek to improve our health and safety performance.
Health and safety are integral to the way we manage storage units, loading areas and any handling or movement of goods, including when we support customers working with removal companies or transporting items to and from our facilities.
Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety at Self Storage Brixton rests with senior management, who will ensure that adequate resources are made available for the implementation of this policy. Management will lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and review performance on a regular basis.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe systems of work, monitoring compliance with site rules, arranging staff training and ensuring that any hazards or unsafe practices are addressed promptly.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate with any investigation or improvement measures.
Customers, visitors and removal personnel using our site must respect all safety signage, follow site rules, use designated areas for loading and unloading, and ensure that their own vehicles, equipment and working methods are safe and compliant.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will conduct regular risk assessments covering all relevant areas, including storage corridors, loading bays, access routes, parking areas, stairs, lifts and any handling operations. These assessments will identify hazards and define control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Where necessary, written procedures and safe systems of work will be developed to address specific risks such as manual handling of heavy or bulky items, use of trolleys, operation of lifting equipment and vehicle manoeuvring in shared spaces.
Risk assessments and procedures will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to site layout, services, equipment or patterns of use, including changes to removal or transport arrangements that affect the site.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide appropriate health and safety training for all employees, including induction training for new starters and refresher training as required. This may include topics such as manual handling, emergency procedures, safe use of equipment, and recognising and reporting hazards.
Clear information on site rules, emergency exits, fire safety and loading procedures will be made available to customers and visitors. Staff will be on hand, where practicable, to provide guidance on safe storage practices and safe movement of goods within the facility.
Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk, taking into account busy periods, vehicle activity and complex loading or unloading operations involving multiple parties such as customers and removal company teams.
Safe Use of Storage Units and Handling of Goods
To reduce the risk of accidents, we require that goods are stored in a stable and secure manner within each unit. Items should be stacked safely, heavier items placed low down, and walkways kept clear. Customers must not store prohibited or dangerous items, including flammable, explosive, corrosive or otherwise hazardous substances.
Manual handling must be carried out with care, using correct lifting techniques and mechanical aids such as trolleys whenever possible. Oversized or heavy items should be moved by more than one person or with appropriate equipment. Where customers are working with removal professionals, we expect the removal teams to follow recognised safe handling practices and to coordinate movements safely in shared areas.
Doors to units, loading bays and lifts must be operated in accordance with instructions. Obstructing fire exits, corridors or emergency equipment is strictly prohibited.
Vehicles, Loading and Traffic Management
Vehicle movements in and around the site must be controlled to minimise the risk of collision or injury. Drivers must observe site speed limits, adhere to designated traffic routes and use only authorised loading and unloading areas.
Parking must be in marked bays where provided, and vehicles should not block entrances, exits, pedestrian walkways or emergency access points. Reversing and manoeuvring should be carried out carefully, using a banksman where appropriate, especially when larger removal vehicles are operating in confined spaces.
Loading and unloading activities must be organised so that pedestrians and vehicles are kept apart as far as reasonably practicable. Customers and removal teams are expected to plan their visits, use appropriate equipment and allow sufficient time to work safely.
Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
We maintain emergency procedures for fire, evacuation and other foreseeable incidents. Emergency exits and routes will be kept clear at all times, and fire safety equipment will be inspected regularly by competent persons.
In the event of an alarm, everyone on site must follow the evacuation instructions, leave the building promptly by the nearest safe route and go to the designated assembly point. Re-entry will only be allowed when authorised by a responsible person.
All accidents, near misses, damage to property and unsafe conditions must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Self Storage Brixton will consult with employees on health and safety matters, encourage feedback from customers and cooperate with contractors and removal partners to promote safe practices. We are committed to continuous improvement through regular reviews of procedures, monitoring of performance and adoption of best practice where reasonably practicable.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations, facilities or identified risks. All parties using or working at Self Storage Brixton are expected to support and comply with this policy to help maintain a safe environment for everyone.
