Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Kentish Town
Self Storage Kentish Town is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, customers, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by our activities, including the use of our storage units and associated removal and transport services. This policy sets out our general approach to health and safety and the arrangements we have in place to manage risks effectively.
Our Commitment
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and protect the health of everyone on our premises or engaged in our work activities. This includes storage operations, loading and unloading, handling customer possessions, and coordinating with removal and transport partners. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance and integrate safety considerations into all operational decisions.
Legal Responsibilities
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and approved codes of practice. Management is responsible for ensuring that our procedures meet current legal requirements and reflect recognised industry standards for self storage facilities and removal related operations such as lifting, carrying, and vehicle movements.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that appropriate resources, information, training, and supervision are provided. Managers and supervisors must:
Ensure safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and maintained for storage, handling, lifting, and removal activities. Undertake and regularly review risk assessments covering the premises, equipment, and work practices. Ensure all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities. Monitor performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions. Make sure that contractors and third party removal teams working on site follow our safety rules and cooperate fully with this policy.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately. Wear any personal protective equipment required for a task. Report hazards, near misses, and accidents without delay. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and in any accident or incident investigation.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Customers and visitors to our self storage facility, including those using our recommended removal and transport services, are required to:
Observe all safety notices, warning signs, and instructions from staff. Take care when lifting, carrying, or moving goods and seek assistance for heavy or awkward items. Keep children supervised at all times. Refrain from unsafe practices such as riding on trolleys, obstructing vehicle routes, or storing prohibited or hazardous items.
We will provide clear signage, guidance on safe use of units and equipment, and assistance where reasonably practicable to support safe storage and removal activities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments of all significant hazards associated with our operations, including:
Use of corridors, loading bays, lifts, and stairways. Manual handling of boxes, furniture, and other goods. Use of trolleys, sack trucks, and other handling aids. Interaction between pedestrians and vehicles, including removal vans and delivery vehicles. Fire safety, emergency routes, and safe access to storage units.
From these assessments we implement safe systems of work, which may include traffic management plans, clearly marked pedestrian routes, weight limits for loads, and safe stacking practices within units.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
We recognise the particular risks associated with lifting and carrying items in a storage and removal environment. To reduce the risk of injury:
Staff receive training in safe manual handling techniques. Mechanical aids such as trolleys and pallet trucks are provided where appropriate. Guidance is given to customers on safe lifting, use of handling equipment, and sensible packing of loads before transport or storage. Unsafe loading practices, including overloading trolleys or blocking walkways, are not permitted.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Vehicle movements, particularly during loading and unloading by customers and removal professionals, can present significant hazards. We aim to manage this by:
Designating loading and unloading zones and keeping them clear of unnecessary obstructions. Implementing speed restrictions and one-way systems where necessary. Providing clear instructions regarding reversing, parking, and waiting areas. Requiring all drivers, including visiting removal companies, to follow site rules and to consider the safety of pedestrians at all times.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain appropriate fire safety measures and emergency procedures, including:
Clearly marked emergency exits and escape routes. Fire detection and alarm systems tested at regular intervals. Firefighting equipment suitable for the premises and the types of materials stored. Emergency evacuation procedures communicated to staff and displayed on site.
Customers must not store flammable, explosive, or otherwise prohibited materials and must follow all guidance provided regarding safe storage practices. Any person discovering a fire or serious incident must raise the alarm immediately and follow the evacuation instructions.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We will ensure that all employees, including new starters and temporary staff, receive adequate health and safety induction and job-specific training. This includes safe handling of goods, operation of any authorised equipment, awareness of vehicle movements, and emergency procedures. Refresher training will be provided as necessary, and additional instruction will be given when changes to equipment, layout, or procedures occur.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur on our premises or in connection with our operations must be reported promptly to management. We keep records of such events and investigate them to determine root causes and identify measures to prevent recurrence. Where required by law, we will report incidents to the relevant authorities.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage staff to contribute ideas for improving health and safety in the workplace and will consult employees on matters that affect their health, safety, and welfare. This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, or the nature of our self storage and removal related services.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually, or more frequently if significant changes occur to our operations, facilities, or legal obligations. The updated policy will be communicated to employees and made available to customers and visitors upon request.
