Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Hammersmith
Self Storage Hammersmith is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for customers, visitors, contractors, removal companies and employees. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk, maintaining safe storage facilities and promoting safe working practices across our operations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption to business activities. We will achieve this by assessing risks, implementing sensible control measures and reviewing our procedures regularly. Health and Safety is an integral part of our day-to-day management and decision making, especially in relation to storage access, vehicle movements and handling of goods.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for Health and Safety at Self Storage Hammersmith rests with the company management. Managers are responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are in place, that staff are trained appropriately, and that facilities and equipment are maintained in a safe condition.
Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions. This includes following site rules, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and cooperating with all safety instructions.
Customers, removal company staff and other visitors are expected to comply with all posted signs, safety guidance provided at reception and verbal instructions from our team. Everyone on site shares a responsibility to help maintain a safe environment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering the storage areas, reception, corridors, lifts, loading bays, stairwells and external areas used by vehicles and pedestrians. These assessments identify hazards such as slips, trips, falls from height, manual handling injuries, collisions in loading zones and fire risks.
Based on our risk assessments we implement safe systems of work that may include restricted access to certain zones, designated walkways, clear markings for loading areas, and guidance on safe storage within units. These systems are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to the premises or how they are used.
Site Access, Traffic and Removal Operations
Our facilities are used regularly by customers and professional removal companies. To reduce the risk of accidents, we manage traffic flow on site and provide clearly signed loading and unloading zones. Drivers must follow all one-way systems, speed limits and instructions from staff.
Pedestrian routes are separated from vehicle routes where reasonably practicable. Customers and removal crews must use designated access points, loading bays and lifts. We encourage removal companies to plan work to avoid congestion, keep exits and fire routes clear, and use appropriate equipment such as trolleys for moving heavy items.
Parking and loading must not obstruct emergency exits, fire equipment, access roads or other units. Any unsafe practices observed by our staff, including unsafe lifting, blocked corridors or unstable stacking of items, may result in work being stopped until the issue is resolved.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a common activity at self storage facilities and during removal work. We provide guidance to staff and display information to encourage safe lifting techniques, such as keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting and sharing the load when possible.
Where trolleys, sack trucks or pallet trucks are provided, they must be used responsibly, checked visually before use and returned to designated areas after use. Equipment that appears damaged or unsafe must not be used and should be reported immediately to a member of staff.
We do not permit customers or contractors to use our equipment for activities for which it was not designed, or to modify, interfere with or bypass any safety features.
Housekeeping and Safe Storage Practices
Good housekeeping is essential for safe operations. Corridors, stairways, doors, fire exits and access routes must be kept clear of goods and waste at all times. Items left in common areas may be removed if they present a hazard or obstruction.
Customers and removal companies must ensure items are stored securely within units, stacked in a stable manner and not higher than is safe. Heavy items should be placed at the bottom, with lighter items above. Dangerous, illegal or prohibited goods must not be stored under any circumstances.
Spillages, breakages, damaged fixtures or any suspected hazard should be reported to our team without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain appropriate fire detection and protection systems and ensure that fire exits and escape routes are clearly marked and kept unobstructed. Fire extinguishers and other equipment are maintained and inspected at regular intervals.
Staff receive training in emergency procedures including fire evacuation, raising the alarm and assisting visitors. Customers and contractors must familiarise themselves with fire exit locations, follow all instructions during an emergency and not interfere with fire safety equipment.
In the event of an alarm, all persons on site must leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit and proceed to the designated assembly area. Re-entry is only permitted when authorised by management or emergency services.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide staff with appropriate Health and Safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training, refresher training, and task-specific guidance. When new equipment or processes are introduced, additional instruction is provided where necessary.
Information for customers and removal operators is provided in the form of signage, written guidance and verbal briefings from staff. Supervisors monitor the site to ensure that rules are being followed and unsafe practices are corrected promptly.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur on site must be reported to our staff as soon as possible. We maintain an accident record and investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Customers, visitors and contractors are encouraged to report hazards even if no incident has occurred. Early reporting helps us address issues before they result in harm.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Self Storage Hammersmith is committed to continual improvement in Health and Safety performance. We periodically review this policy, our risk assessments and control measures, taking into account feedback from staff, customers and removal partners, as well as changes in guidance and best practice.
This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers, visitors and contractors on request. By choosing to use our facilities or work on our premises, all parties agree to cooperate with the measures outlined in this policy and to contribute to a safe environment for everyone.
