Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Swiss Cottage
Self Storage Swiss Cottage is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and removal partners using our facilities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents, and maintaining safe working and storage conditions across our premises.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise our duty to manage health and safety risks arising from our activities and to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and guidance. Management at all levels is responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring that adequate resources, information, and training are provided to maintain safe operations.
We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by regularly reviewing our procedures, learning from incidents and near misses, and engaging with customers and removal professionals to identify potential hazards early.
Responsibilities and Communication
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the senior management of Self Storage Swiss Cottage. Day-to-day implementation is delegated to designated site managers who monitor safety standards, inspect the premises, and ensure that control measures are followed.
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 expected to follow all safety instructions, report hazards or unsafe conditions immediately, and cooperate with any investigation or corrective action.
Customers, visitors, and removal partners are also required to act responsibly while on site. This includes observing signage, following instructions from staff, using equipment correctly, and reporting any accidents, injuries, spillages, or damage as soon as possible.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Management
We conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards throughout the storage facility, including access routes, loading bays, corridors, stairways, lifts, and storage units. These assessments consider the activities of staff, customers, and third-party removal teams who may be handling goods, operating trolleys, and loading or unloading vehicles.
Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented. These may include physical safeguards, safe systems of work, restrictions on certain materials, and clear signage. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes are made to the layout, equipment, or operating procedures.
Safe Access, Traffic, and Manual Handling
We are committed to maintaining safe access throughout the premises. This includes keeping walkways clear, ensuring adequate lighting, and managing vehicle movements in loading areas. Speed limits, designated parking zones, and loading bay rules are in place to reduce the risk of collisions or injuries.
Manual handling is a key focus area for storage and removal-related activities. Staff receive guidance and training in safe lifting techniques and the use of trolleys or other handling aids. Customers and removal partners are encouraged to plan loads carefully, avoid overloading trolleys, and seek assistance for heavy or awkward items to minimise the risk of strains, trips, and falls.
Use of Equipment and Facilities
Any equipment provided by Self Storage Swiss Cottage, such as trolleys, pallet trucks, or lifting aids, must be used in accordance with the instructions provided. Only authorised and trained personnel may operate any powered equipment where applicable.
We regularly inspect and maintain equipment and facilities to ensure they remain in safe working order. Defective or damaged items must be reported immediately and will be removed from use until repaired or replaced.
Hazardous Materials and Prohibited Items
For the safety of all users, certain materials and substances must not be stored on site. Prohibited items typically include flammable or explosive materials, corrosive chemicals, pressurised gas cylinders, illegal goods, and any items that may present a health risk, such as perishable foods or biological materials.
Customers and removal companies are responsible for ensuring that goods brought into the facility comply with our terms and conditions and do not include any prohibited or dangerous items. Staff may request clarification on the nature of stored goods and reserve the right to refuse entry to items considered unsafe.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire safety measures appropriate to the premises, including fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, and clearly marked escape routes. Fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment are provided and maintained in accordance with relevant standards.
Emergency exits and access routes must remain unobstructed at all times. In an emergency, all persons on site must follow staff instructions, proceed calmly to the nearest safe exit, and move to the designated assembly area. Fire evacuation and other emergency procedures are regularly reviewed and updated as required.
Accident Reporting and First Aid
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, however minor, must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. This enables us to provide appropriate assistance, record the incident, and take steps to prevent recurrence.
First aid provisions are available on site, and designated staff have received basic first aid training. Where necessary, emergency services will be contacted without delay. Accident records are reviewed to identify trends and inform improvements to our safety management.
Training, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement
Employees receive health and safety induction training when they join the company, as well as ongoing instruction relevant to their roles. Topics may include safe manual handling, emergency procedures, hazard reporting, and customer assistance in loading areas.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for monitoring working practices and ensuring that safety procedures are applied consistently. We welcome feedback from staff, customers, and removal partners on any health and safety issues, and we use such feedback to refine our systems and procedures.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to our operations and compliant with current legislation and best practice guidance. Revisions will be communicated to employees, and key principles will be highlighted to customers and contractors using our storage and loading facilities.
By working together and following the measures set out in this policy, Self Storage Swiss Cottage aims to provide a secure, well-managed environment that supports safe storage, handling, and removal activities for everyone on site.
