Self Storage Croydon Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Croydon is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, and contractors, including those using our storage facilities in connection with removals and transport services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks across our premises and operations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying and controlling hazards, maintaining safe systems of work, and promoting a culture of safety and responsibility. Health and safety performance is a core part of our business operations and decision-making.
Scope
This policy applies to all employees of Self Storage Croydon, agency staff, contractors, removal teams operating on site, and any person who enters or works within our premises, including storage units, loading bays, corridors, lifts, staircases, car parks, and external areas under our control.
Legal Duties and Compliance
Self Storage Croydon will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and approved codes of practice that apply to our operations. We will:
Identify applicable legal and regulatory requirements and ensure our procedures align with them; keep our policies and risk assessments under review; and provide staff with adequate information, instruction, and training to meet these duties.
Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are provided. Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance regularly; carry out and approve risk assessments for core activities, including storage, loading, unloading, and movement of goods; ensure that the premises, including loading areas and access routes used by removal vehicles, are maintained in a safe condition; provide appropriate safety equipment where required; and investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees are required 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 instructions, procedures, and signage; use any equipment or safety devices in accordance with training and instructions; report hazards, defects, accidents, and near misses without delay; cooperate with management and safety representatives on all health and safety matters; and never misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety, or welfare.
Contractor and Removal Team Responsibilities
Contractors and removal teams working on our premises must comply with this policy and any site-specific rules. They are required to:
Carry out their own risk assessments for activities under their control, such as lifting, carrying, and vehicle movements; ensure that their employees are trained and competent; use safe systems of work when handling and transporting goods; and follow our instructions regarding site access, parking, loading bays, and emergency procedures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will conduct and maintain suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our activities, including but not limited to:
Customer access to storage units; manual handling of goods and equipment; use of trolleys, lifts, and other handling aids; loading and unloading vehicles, including removal vehicles; movement of vehicles and pedestrians around the site; fire risks associated with stored items and building layout; and security controls that may affect safe access and egress.
Control measures identified in risk assessments will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed regularly or when there are significant changes to work practices, equipment, or layout.
Premises and Equipment Safety
Self Storage Croydon will ensure that the workplace and its equipment are maintained in a safe condition. This includes:
Providing clear signage for entry, exit, fire exits, and restricted areas; ensuring that corridors, staircases, and access routes are kept clear and well lit; maintaining loading bays, ramps, and parking areas to reduce slip, trip, and collision risks; and inspecting and maintaining lifts, trolleys, and other handling equipment at appropriate intervals.
Manual Handling and Use of Handling Aids
Manual handling is a key aspect of storage and removals activity. We will:
Provide guidance and, where appropriate, training in safe manual handling techniques; encourage the use of trolleys, sack trucks, and other aids to reduce physical strain; and assess high-risk tasks, such as moving heavy or bulky items, and implement controls to reduce the risk of injury.
Traffic Management and Vehicle Safety
To protect staff, customers, and removal teams, Self Storage Croydon will manage the movement of vehicles on site by:
Designating parking and loading areas; marking and maintaining clear pedestrian routes where practicable; promoting safe driving speeds and reversing practices; and managing the timing and coordination of large vehicle movements where necessary.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will maintain robust fire safety and emergency arrangements, including:
Fire risk assessments and appropriate fire detection and warning systems; clearly marked fire exits and escape routes kept free from obstruction; suitable fire-fighting equipment in accessible locations; and documented emergency procedures covering evacuation, assembly points, and emergency contacts.
All staff and contractors must familiarise themselves with these procedures and follow instructions during drills and real emergencies.
Information, Instruction, and Training
Self Storage Croydon will ensure that employees receive adequate health and safety information, instruction, and training, proportionate to their role. This may include:
Induction training for new employees; specific training on manual handling, emergency procedures, and equipment use; and refresher training where necessary or when there are changes in procedures or equipment.
Consultation and Communication
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees and contractors are expected to raise concerns, report hazards, and propose improvements. Feedback is reviewed and, where appropriate, used to enhance our safety arrangements.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Self Storage Croydon will monitor compliance with this policy through inspections, incident investigations, and performance reviews. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to operations, legislation, or best practice.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to provide a safe and healthy environment for all users of our storage facilities and associated removal activities.
