Self Storage Hackney Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Hackney is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors and removal partners using our storage facilities. This policy explains how we manage health and safety risks, the responsibilities of all parties on site, and the standards of behaviour we expect to maintain a safe and compliant operation.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise our duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone who may be affected by our activities. This includes people using our storage units, customers attending in person, staff working on site, and any removal or transport companies who assist with moves.
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate control measures. Health and safety considerations are integrated into the planning and operation of our storage services, including the way goods are moved, loaded, unloaded and stored.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Self Storage Hackney is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources, information and supervision are provided. This includes:
Ensuring that the facility and equipment are maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. Providing staff with appropriate training and instruction on health and safety procedures. Reviewing risk assessments for activities such as manual handling, use of trolleys, vehicle movements and access routes. Establishing emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and incident reporting. Monitoring performance and updating this policy as needed.
Employee Responsibilities
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. Staff are required to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use equipment, trolleys and tools correctly and report any defects immediately. Keep access routes, corridors, loading bays and fire exits clear of obstruction. Wear any personal protective equipment that has been provided for specific tasks. Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions to management without delay.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors, including those using the facility for self storage or working with a chosen removal company, must take responsible care while on site. All visitors are expected to:
Follow the safety information and signage displayed on the premises. Comply with instructions given by staff regarding access, loading, unloading and parking. Use designated walkways and avoid entering restricted or staff-only areas. Supervise children at all times and prevent them from playing in loading or vehicle areas. Avoid overloading trolleys or vehicles and secure loads safely.
Removal and Transport Partners
Many customers use removal companies or transport services when moving goods into or out of storage. While these parties are independent of Self Storage Hackney, we expect all such partners to:
Work safely and in line with recognised industry practices for lifting, carrying and loading. Adhere to the site rules, including speed limits, no smoking areas and parking instructions. Ensure drivers and handlers are competent and capable of performing their tasks. Use suitable equipment for moving heavy or bulky items and avoid unsafe lifting practices. Cooperate with our staff to coordinate vehicle movements and maintain safe access for all users.
Safe Use of Facilities and Equipment
Our site includes storage units, corridors, loading bays, doors, lifts where provided, and manual handling equipment such as trolleys. To ensure safe use of these facilities:
Only equipment supplied or authorised by Self Storage Hackney should be used on site. Trolleys must not be overloaded and loads must be evenly distributed and secured. Doors, shutters and lifts must be operated as instructed and never forced or tampered with. Customers must ensure that stored items are stacked safely, with heavy items at the bottom and walkways within units kept clear. Hazardous, flammable, explosive or illegal items must not be brought onto the premises or stored under any circumstances.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire safety measures including appropriate detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes and regular checks of emergency equipment.
All persons on site must familiarise themselves with the location of fire exits and follow the directions displayed. In the event of an alarm, everyone must leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit and proceed to the designated assembly area. Lifts must not be used during an evacuation. No one may re-enter the building until authorised by a responsible person or the emergency services.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences and near misses on site must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. This enables us to take prompt action, provide assistance, and investigate causes to prevent recurrence.
We maintain records of incidents and use them to review our procedures, improve training and update risk assessments. Customers and removal partners are expected to cooperate fully with any investigation and provide accurate information about what happened.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide staff with training relevant to their roles, including safe manual handling, emergency procedures, customer guidance and incident reporting. Information for customers and visitors is made available through signage, verbal instructions and written guidance where appropriate.
Supervision is provided by competent members of the team, particularly in areas where vehicle movements, loading or higher-risk activities take place. Staff are empowered to stop any activity they consider unsafe and to request changes before work continues.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, premises or relevant legislation. We also consider feedback from staff, customers, visitors and removal partners when improving our arrangements.
By working together and following the guidance in this policy, Self Storage Hackney aims to maintain a safe, secure and efficient environment for storage activities and for everyone who uses or works within our facilities.
