Self Storage Sutton Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all customers, employees, contractors and visitors, including those involved in removals and transport of goods to and from our storage facilities. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety risks, preventing accidents and complying with relevant health and safety legislation.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and maintain safe operations throughout our self storage facilities. We aim to provide secure premises, clearly communicated safety procedures, and competent supervision for storage users, visitors and any removal teams working on site.
We recognise that self storage and removal activities may involve manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height when loading or unloading, and the use of trolleys and lifting equipment. We will take reasonable steps to control these and other risks within our areas of responsibility.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Self Storage Sutton holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will ensure that:
Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for activities within our facilities, including access routes, loading areas and communal storage zones. Appropriate control measures are implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly. All employees receive adequate information, instruction and training to work safely. Safe systems of work are developed and communicated clearly to staff, customers and contractors. Adequate resources are made available to support the effective implementation of this policy.
Managers will monitor the condition of the premises, storage units, access ways and equipment and will act promptly to remedy any identified hazards or defects.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including those supervising moves and assisting customers, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use equipment, trolleys and any lifting aids correctly and for their intended purpose. Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions to management without delay. Cooperate with risk assessments, inspections and investigations. Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
No employee should undertake any task for which they have not been trained or that they believe cannot be carried out safely. Concerns must be raised with a manager before the work proceeds.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers, visitors and removal teams using our facilities are expected to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others. All users must:
Follow any instructions or guidance provided on signage or by staff. Keep access routes, corridors and fire exits clear at all times. Supervise children and vulnerable persons closely while on the premises. Use trolleys and equipment safely and return them to designated areas after use. Refrain from bringing prohibited or dangerous items into storage, including those described in our terms and conditions.
Where customers employ removal companies or transport providers, they remain responsible for ensuring that these parties work safely and respect our site rules while on the premises.
Safe Use of Premises and Equipment
Self Storage Sutton will maintain the premises, storage units and associated equipment in a safe condition. This includes:
Keeping floor surfaces as even and free from obstruction as reasonably practicable. Ensuring lighting is adequate in internal and external areas, including loading bays and corridors. Maintaining fire detection, alarm and emergency lighting systems. Providing suitable trolleys and manual handling aids where appropriate. Marking traffic routes, pedestrian walkways and loading zones where relevant.
Customers and removal personnel must not tamper with electrical systems, fire equipment, security devices or any fixed installations. Any defect or damage must be reported immediately to a member of staff.
Manual Handling and Loading Activities
Many storage and removal tasks involve lifting, carrying and moving goods. To reduce the risk of injury:
Employees receive manual handling guidance appropriate to their role. Users are encouraged to pack loads into smaller, manageable containers rather than large, heavy items. Heavy or bulky items should be lifted by more than one person where necessary, and customers should consider using professional removal teams for large or complex moves. When vehicles are being loaded or unloaded, care must be taken to avoid overreaching, twisting or working from an unstable position.
Where mechanical handling aids such as sack trucks or platform trolleys are provided, they must be inspected regularly and used within their safe working limits.
Traffic Management and Vehicle Movements
To protect customers, staff and drivers, vehicle movements within and around the site must be controlled. Drivers of removal vans, cars and other vehicles must adhere to posted speed limits and any one way systems. Engines should be switched off when vehicles are parked for loading or unloading, and reversing should be minimised where possible.
Pedestrians must use allocated walkways where provided and take extra care in loading areas. Children must not play in vehicle zones or near loading bays.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Self Storage Sutton maintains fire safety arrangements designed to prevent, detect and respond to fire incidents. These include:
Regular testing and inspection of fire detection and alarm systems. Clearly marked fire exits and escape routes. Provision and maintenance of appropriate fire extinguishers. Display of emergency evacuation instructions at key points throughout the facility.
Customers and contractors must familiarise themselves with fire exit locations upon arrival. In the event of an alarm, everyone must leave the building immediately using the nearest safe exit and follow staff instructions. Lifts must not be used during evacuations.
Hazardous, Prohibited and Restricted Items
For the safety of all users, certain items must not be brought onto our premises or stored in units. These include, but are not limited to, flammable liquids, explosive materials, compressed gas cylinders, corrosive substances, firearms, illegal goods and perishable or decomposing items.
Where items present particular risks, we may require additional information, refuse entry to the premises or impose specific conditions. Customers are responsible for ensuring that all stored goods are safe, lawful and properly packaged.
Accident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, incidents and near misses occurring on our premises must be reported to staff as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Where necessary, details will be recorded and investigated to identify causes and implement improvements.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, site layout or operating procedures. Any significant changes will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to customers and contractors.
By using our facilities, customers, visitors and removal partners agree to cooperate with Self Storage Sutton in maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone who accesses our storage services.
