Self Storage Maida Vale Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Maida Vale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all customers, visitors, contractors, employees and removal partners who use our storage and associated moving services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities and arrangements for maintaining high standards of safety and risk management across our premises and operations.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with self storage activities, loading and unloading of goods, vehicle movements and the handling of household, commercial and business items. We will take reasonable and practical steps to protect anyone who may be affected by our operations, including people working in or visiting our storage facility and those involved in removals to and from our units.
We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance, complying with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and promoting a positive safety culture throughout our business.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources and ensuring that health and safety is an integral part of planning and decision-making. Management will regularly review risk assessments, working practices and incident reports to ensure that effective controls remain in place and are updated when required.
Managers and supervisors will ensure that staff and key contractors understand their health and safety responsibilities, receive appropriate information and instruction, and follow established safe systems of work. They are responsible for reporting hazards, investigating incidents and taking corrective action where necessary.
Employee and Contractor Responsibilities
All employees, including those involved in assisting customers with loading, unloading or coordinating removal activities, must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They must:
Follow safety instructions, training and procedures; use any equipment or protective items provided; report accidents, near misses, damage and unsafe conditions without delay; cooperate with investigations and improvement actions.
Contractors, including removal and transport companies operating on our site, are expected to work safely, comply with this policy and any site-specific rules, and ensure that their personnel are competent and properly equipped for the tasks they undertake.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors share responsibility for safety while on our premises. They must follow displayed safety signage and staff instructions, drive and park carefully, keep children and vulnerable persons under close supervision, and ensure that their goods are packed, lifted and stacked safely within units and vehicles.
Customers using external removal services should ensure that their chosen company operates safely and that loading and unloading activities do not obstruct traffic routes, fire exits or emergency equipment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will identify hazards and assess risks arising from storage and removal related activities, including manual handling, working at height on loading ramps, slips and trips, vehicle movements, use of trolleys and handling equipment, and the storage of goods. Controls will be implemented to eliminate risks where reasonably practicable, or to reduce them to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work will cover activities such as vehicle access and traffic flow, use of loading bays and lifts, safe manual handling techniques, storage height limits, and the use of approved handling aids. These procedures will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to operations, facilities or legislation.
Premises, Equipment and Vehicle Movements
We will maintain the premises, access routes, storage areas and common spaces in a safe condition. This includes suitable lighting, clear signage, and regular inspection of floors, ramps, doors, stairs and lifts. Any defects found will be reported and remedied as soon as reasonably possible.
Equipment such as trolleys, sack trucks and pallet trucks will be checked regularly and taken out of use if defective. Customers and removal teams are expected to use equipment only for its intended purpose and not to exceed specified load limits.
Vehicle movements will be managed to minimise risk. Speed limits, one-way systems or designated loading areas may be used to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Drivers must follow all site rules, avoid blocking emergency access and ensure that vehicles are safely positioned and secured before loading or unloading.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
For the safety of all, certain items must not be stored in our units or vehicles operating on site. These include explosive, flammable or hazardous substances, illegal goods, perishable foodstuffs likely to rot, live animals or plants, and any items that may create a health, fire or environmental risk. Customers are responsible for ensuring that their stored items are safe and comply with our terms and conditions and relevant laws.
Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety
We will maintain appropriate arrangements for emergency situations, including fire, serious accidents, medical emergencies and security incidents. Fire detection and protection systems will be installed and maintained in line with legal requirements and good practice. Fire exits, routes and assembly points will be clearly marked and kept unobstructed at all times.
Staff will receive instruction in emergency procedures, including evacuation, raising the alarm and contacting the relevant services. Customers and visitors must familiarise themselves with emergency exits and follow staff directions immediately in the event of an alarm or incident.
Training, Information and Communication
Employees will be provided with suitable training and information relevant to their roles, including induction training, manual handling guidance, safe operation of handling equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures. Where appropriate, refresher training will be provided.
Health and safety information, such as rules for storage, loading, unloading and vehicle access, will be clearly communicated through signage, written materials and discussions with staff. We encourage open communication about safety concerns and suggestions for improvement.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
We will monitor health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, incident analysis and feedback from staff, customers and removal partners. Findings will be used to improve our procedures, facilities and training.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect operational changes, new legislation or best practice developments. The current version of the policy will be made available to employees, contractors and customers on request.
By using the facilities and services at Self Storage Maida Vale, all parties agree to support the aims of this policy and to play their part in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
