Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Barnes
Self Storage Barnes is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our customers, visitors, contractors and team members. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with self storage use, access to storage units, and activities related to loading, unloading and handling items, including where customers use professional removal companies.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and unsafe practices on our premises. We will do this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate control measures. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continually review and improve our standards.
This policy applies to all areas of our facility, including internal units, external loading areas, access routes, car parks and any shared spaces used by customers and removal personnel.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Self Storage Barnes is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. This includes:
Ensuring that the premises and facilities are maintained in a safe condition and that safety equipment, lighting, access controls and fire safety systems are regularly inspected and serviced by competent persons.
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for typical activities on site, including movement of vehicles, use of trolleys, loading bays and stairways, and the storage of customers goods.
Providing clear information, instructions and signage to customers and contractors to promote safe use of the facility, including guidance on manual handling, unit loading and emergency procedures.
Investigating accidents, near misses and incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
All customers and visitors, including employees of removal companies and other contractors engaged by customers, share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment and must:
Follow all safety instructions given by Self Storage Barnes, including any rules displayed on signage or communicated at the time of signing the storage agreement.
Use equipment, such as trolleys and lifts, in a safe and proper manner and only for their intended purpose.
Ensure that load sizes, weight distribution and stacking practices inside storage units are safe, stable and do not obstruct doors, corridors, fire exits, alarms or sprinkler systems.
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Safe Access, Loading and Unloading
To reduce risks associated with moving goods to and from storage units, Self Storage Barnes:
Provides designated loading and unloading areas and clearly marked access routes for vehicles and pedestrians.
Encourages customers and removal crews to plan their visits at times that allow sufficient space, time and supervision for safe loading and unloading, particularly when handling heavy or bulky items.
Requires that vehicles are parked safely and considerately, without blocking fire exits, emergency access routes or other units.
Reminds customers that they are responsible for ensuring that any removal company or delivery service they use operates safely on site, including the use of appropriate manual handling techniques and equipment.
Where practical, Self Storage Barnes staff may highlight obvious unsafe behaviour but do not supervise or direct manual handling activities carried out by customers or their appointed movers.
Use of Equipment and Manual Handling
Trolleys, pallet trucks and other handling aids provided by Self Storage Barnes are for use within the facility and must be operated safely, including:
Not exceeding the recommended load capacity.
Securing loads to prevent items from falling.
Keeping to designated routes, avoiding sudden movements and ensuring clear visibility while moving.
Customers and removal workers are responsible for their own manual handling methods and must not attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their physical capability or require specialist equipment or training.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
For the safety of everyone on site, customers must not store items that are hazardous, illegal or likely to cause harm or damage. These include, but are not limited to:
Explosives, flammable liquids or gases, corrosive materials and other dangerous substances.
Perishable goods that could rot, attract vermin or create health hazards.
Firearms, weapons or items that may present an unreasonable risk.
Customers must follow all guidance issued by Self Storage Barnes regarding prohibited items and seek clarification if unsure whether an item is suitable for storage.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Self Storage Barnes maintains fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to the facility and ensures that emergency escape routes and exits are kept clear at all times. Customers and visitors must:
Familiarise themselves with the location of emergency exits, fire alarm call points and assembly areas on each visit.
Not obstruct fire doors, corridors or access routes with goods, vehicles or packing materials.
Immediately report any fire, smoke or suspected fire hazard to a member of staff on site or by using the appropriate emergency procedure.
Evacuate the building promptly and calmly if the fire alarm sounds, following the directions of Self Storage Barnes staff and emergency services.
Housekeeping and Environmental Standards
Good housekeeping is essential for safety. Customers and removal personnel must keep walkways, corridors and shared spaces free from loose packaging, spillages and other trip hazards. Waste materials, including cardboard, plastic wrap and pallets, must be disposed of in designated areas only.
Spillages or damage that could create a hazard must be reported so that appropriate measures can be taken to make the area safe.
Contractors and Removal Companies
Third party contractors, including removal companies, who operate on our premises must conduct their activities safely and in accordance with this policy and any site-specific rules. Customers engaging such services remain responsible for ensuring that their contractors are competent and adequately insured for the work they carry out.
Self Storage Barnes reserves the right to refuse access or request that unsafe activities are stopped if there is a risk to people, property or operations.
Monitoring, Review and Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our operations or identified risks. We communicate key health and safety information to customers and visitors through our storage agreements, signage, on-site induction where applicable and direct communication from staff.
By using our facility, customers, visitors and contractors acknowledge their role in maintaining a safe environment and agree to follow this policy and any associated rules. Self Storage Barnes will continue to work with users of the facility, including those involved in removal and delivery activities, to promote safe, responsible and considerate use of our storage services.
