Self Storage Tooting Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Tooting is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all customers, visitors, contractors and employees. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with self storage, handling goods, and any related removal activities undertaken on or around our premises.
We recognise our duty of care under relevant health and safety legislation and aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through proactive planning, training and supervision. Health and safety is a core part of how we operate, not an optional extra.
Policy Aims
The aims of this policy are to:
Promote a culture where health and safety is integrated into all storage and removal activities. Identify, assess and control hazards associated with moving, loading, unloading and storing goods. Provide clear responsibilities for employees, contractors, removal teams and customers. Maintain safe facilities, equipment and systems of work. Comply with all applicable health and safety laws and recognised best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Self Storage Tooting has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Management will:
Provide appropriate resources for health and safety, including training, supervision and equipment. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for storage operations and for removal activities on site. Maintain the premises, including access routes, loading areas, corridors and storage units, in a condition that is safe and without risk to health. Investigate accidents, near misses and safety concerns, and implement corrective actions. Review this policy regularly and update it to reflect changes in law, operations or identified risks.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including any team members who assist with customer loading, unloading or removal coordination, are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions, signage and training provided. Use equipment, including trolleys, handling aids and personal protective equipment, correctly and report any defects immediately. Report accidents, incidents, near misses or hazards to management without delay. Co-operate with management in meeting legal and policy obligations, including participating in safety training and briefings.
Customer and Contractor Responsibilities
Customers and contractors, including any independent removal companies operating on or around our site, have a responsibility to:
Comply with site rules, safety instructions and signage provided by Self Storage Tooting. Take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others on site. Use loading bays, corridors, lifts and stairways in a safe and considerate manner. Ensure that vehicles are parked and manoeuvred safely, respecting designated routes and speed limits. Use appropriate methods and equipment to lift, carry and move items, avoiding unsafe manual handling. Refrain from bringing prohibited or unsafe items onto the premises.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
To protect the safety of all users and staff, certain items may not be stored or handled on site. These typically include flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or otherwise hazardous materials, live animals, perishable goods that may decay, and illegal or stolen goods. Customers are required to familiarise themselves with the list of prohibited and restricted items set out in their storage agreement and must not store or request handling of such items.
Safe Use of Premises and Equipment
Self Storage Tooting will provide and maintain safe access and equipment for storage and removal-related activities. This includes:
Marking pedestrian walkways, loading zones and restricted areas clearly. Providing suitable trolleys and handling aids where appropriate. Ensuring lighting is adequate in loading bays, corridors and units. Carrying out regular inspections and maintenance of doors, locks, lifts and other facilities. Displaying clear instructions for the safe operation of doors, lifts and security systems.
Customers and removal teams must not misuse equipment, tamper with safety features or obstruct corridors, fire exits or emergency routes with goods or vehicles.
Manual Handling and Removals
Moving and lifting goods carries a risk of injury if not carried out properly. To reduce these risks, Self Storage Tooting will:
Provide staff with training and guidance on safe manual handling techniques. Encourage the use of handling equipment rather than lifting by hand where possible. Plan storage layouts and access routes to minimise unnecessary manual handling and awkward movements.
Customers and removal personnel are encouraged to:
Assess the weight and shape of items before attempting to move them. Seek assistance or use handling aids when lifting heavy, bulky or awkward loads. Avoid overreaching, twisting or carrying loads that obstruct the line of sight. Load vehicles and units in a stable, secure manner to minimise the risk of falls or collapses.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Self Storage Tooting will take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire and to protect people in the event of an emergency. This includes:
Maintaining fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to the site. Keeping fire exits and routes clear, unlocked and well marked. Providing fire-fighting equipment where required and ensuring it is regularly inspected. Displaying emergency instructions and evacuation information.
Customers, visitors and contractors must:
Familiarise themselves with escape routes and emergency instructions. Not block or wedge open fire doors or obstruct fire equipment. Follow instructions given by staff during any drill or real emergency. Report any fire hazards or concerns immediately.
Accident Reporting and First Aid
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences on the premises must be reported to Self Storage Tooting staff as soon as possible. This enables us to provide assistance, record the incident and take steps to prevent recurrence.
Where appropriate, trained first aiders and first aid supplies will be made available. In serious cases, emergency services will be contacted without delay.
Training, Information and Supervision
Self Storage Tooting will ensure that employees receive suitable health and safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training, refresher training and specific instruction for tasks such as handling goods, overseeing loading areas and dealing with emergencies.
Information on safety procedures, site rules and prohibited items will be provided to customers as part of their storage agreement and through signage on site. Where removal activities are coordinated, staff will provide clear guidance on safe use of loading areas and access routes.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy will be monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for the nature and scale of our self storage and removal-related activities. Self Storage Tooting will take into account incident reports, customer feedback, staff suggestions, changes in law and best practice guidance when updating procedures.
All users of Self Storage Tooting share the responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. By working together and following the guidelines in this policy, we can help ensure that storage and removal activities are carried out with minimal risk to people, property and the surrounding area.
