Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Elephant and Castle
Self Storage Elephant and Castle is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for customers, visitors, contractors and employees. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with self storage facilities and associated removal and transport activities carried out on or around our premises.
We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and good industry practice, and we expect all users of our site to cooperate with these requirements. Safety is a shared responsibility between our team, our customers and any third party removal companies operating at our facility.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The main aims of this policy are to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health; provide and maintain safe premises, storage units and access routes; ensure that handling, moving and storing of goods is carried out safely; and promote a culture of safety awareness among staff, customers and removal partners.
We regularly review our procedures to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the risks associated with self storage and removal activities, including loading, unloading and transporting goods to and from our site.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring that appropriate resources are available to maintain safe conditions. This includes maintaining the building, storage units, loading areas, lifts, stairs and corridors in a safe condition; providing appropriate signage and safety information; and ensuring that staff receive relevant training in health and safety procedures, including safe moving and handling, emergency response and incident reporting.
Management will carry out periodic risk assessments, investigate any accidents or near misses, and implement corrective actions where needed. We will also coordinate, as far as reasonably practicable, with removal companies and contractors using the site to ensure that their activities are carried out safely.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to follow company procedures and training, make proper use of equipment and safety measures provided, report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses to management without delay, and cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy.
Employees involved in assisting with customer loads or working around removal vehicles must use safe manual handling techniques, avoid overloading trolleys and equipment, and ensure that routes remain clear and safe for all users.
Customer Responsibilities
Customers using our self storage facilities are expected to act responsibly and safely while on site. This includes following all safety signs and instructions provided by staff; using designated loading and unloading areas; not blocking access routes, doors, fire exits or emergency equipment; and ensuring that goods are packed, moved and stored safely within their unit.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that any items they bring onto the site are safe, lawful and suitable for storage. Prohibited or hazardous materials must not be stored. Customers must supervise any children or vulnerable persons accompanying them and ensure they do not play in loading bays, vehicle areas, corridors or lifts.
Removal Companies and Contractors
We welcome professional removal companies supporting our customers within our service area. All such companies and contractors operating on or around our premises must comply with this Health and Safety policy and with any additional instructions given by our staff.
Removal companies are responsible for the safety of their employees and vehicles while on site, including safe parking in designated areas, using hazard lights where appropriate, and avoiding obstruction of access routes and emergency exits. They must use safe manual handling practices, appropriate lifting equipment and sufficient personnel to move heavy or bulky items.
Any contractor or removal team must ensure that equipment brought onto the premises is in good condition and fit for purpose. Unsafe practices, excessive speed when using trolleys, or disregard for site rules may result in removal from the premises.
Safe Use of Equipment and Facilities
Customers and removal teams should use only the equipment made available for general use, such as trolleys and loading bays, and must use it safely and for its intended purpose. Overloading equipment, riding on trolleys, or using makeshift lifting methods is prohibited.
All users must take care when operating in shared spaces, including corridors, lifts and stairways. Loads should be stable, not stacked above safe eye level and should not create a risk of falling or blocking visibility. Where possible, heavy items should be moved using wheeled equipment or with adequate assistance.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a priority. Customers, visitors and contractors must not block or tamper with fire exits, alarms, extinguishers or other emergency equipment. Smoking, vaping, use of open flames and hot works are not permitted anywhere inside the storage building.
In the event of a fire alarm, all occupants must leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit and follow staff instructions. Do not use lifts during an evacuation. Do not re-enter the building until authorised by staff or emergency services.
Goods and Materials Restrictions
For the safety of all users and to protect the facility, certain goods and materials must not be brought onto or stored within the premises. These include flammable, explosive or corrosive substances; gas cylinders; illegal goods; live animals; perishable food items likely to attract vermin; and any other material considered hazardous by management.
If there is any doubt about whether an item is suitable for storage or for transport to and from our facility, customers and removal companies should seek clarification from staff before attempting to store or move it within the site.
Accident Reporting and First Aid
All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property that occur on our premises must be reported to staff as soon as possible so that appropriate assistance can be provided and any hazards can be addressed. We maintain basic first aid provisions on site, and trained staff will offer support where they are competent to do so.
Information about significant incidents may be recorded for health and safety purposes and to enable us to review and improve our procedures.
Monitoring and Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, premises or relevant legislation. We may update procedures or introduce additional measures where necessary to maintain a safe environment for self storage customers, visitors, staff and removal partners.
By using our facilities, customers, contractors and removal companies agree to support and comply with this policy and with any reasonable health and safety instructions provided by Self Storage Elephant and Castle staff.
