Health and Safety Policy for Self Storage Merton
Self Storage Merton is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for all customers, employees, contractors and visitors, including those involved in removals and transportation of goods to and from our facility. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks and ensuring that all activities on our premises are carried out safely and responsibly.
Policy Aims
The aims of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with relevant health and safety legislation, promote safe practices in all storage and removal activities, and continually improve our safety performance. We recognise that effective health and safety management supports the welfare of people, protects property and helps ensure continuity of service.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Self Storage Merton has overall responsibility for health and safety at the facility. Management will provide appropriate resources, equipment and procedures to maintain safe conditions, ensure that health and safety considerations are built into all operational decisions, carry out regular inspections and risk assessments, and investigate any incidents, near misses or hazards reported on site.
Management will review this policy periodically and update it where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or industry best practice, particularly in relation to storage operations and the movement of goods by customers and removal teams.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Self Storage Merton share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. Employees are required to follow all health and safety procedures and instructions, use equipment and safety devices correctly, report hazards, defects and unsafe conditions immediately, and participate in any relevant training or safety briefings provided by the company.
Employees must not engage in unsafe behaviour, must not misuse equipment, and must co operate with management in any investigation or improvement measures related to health and safety.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers, visitors and removal company personnel using our facility must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All users of the site must follow the instructions displayed on signs and notices, comply with any directions given by staff, and use the facility only for its intended self storage and associated access purposes.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that any removal contractors they engage work safely while on site and that their activities do not cause risk to other users of the facility. Customers must ensure that their goods are suitable for storage and that prohibited or dangerous items are not brought onto the premises.
Prohibited Items and Dangerous Substances
To protect the safety of all users, certain goods are strictly prohibited from storage at Self Storage Merton. These include but are not limited to explosives and fireworks, flammable or combustible liquids and gases, firearms and ammunition, chemicals, corrosive substances and toxic materials, illegal goods, and any item that could create a risk of fire, explosion, contamination or injury.
Any goods that may present an unusual hazard must be declared to staff, and Self Storage Merton reserves the right to refuse entry of any item judged to be unsafe. Where necessary, we will seek specialist advice on the safe handling of particular categories of goods.
Safe Access, Handling and Movement of Goods
The safe movement of goods into and out of units is essential for the protection of customers, staff and removal teams. All users must drive and park with care, observe any speed limits on site, and follow traffic markings and staff instructions. Vehicle loading and unloading must be carried out safely, using appropriate equipment such as trolleys or sack trucks where provided.
Heavy or bulky goods should be lifted and carried using safe manual handling techniques. Where necessary, additional help or equipment should be used to reduce the risk of injury. Removal professionals operating on site are expected to comply with recognised safe working practices, including the use of suitable vehicles, restraints and lifting aids.
Fire Safety
Self Storage Merton maintains fire safety measures appropriate to the nature of the facility. This includes provision of fire detection and alarm systems where required, clearly marked fire exits and escape routes, and fire fighting equipment appropriate to the risks identified.
Customers and visitors must familiarise themselves with escape routes and fire exit locations, keep corridors, walkways and doors clear at all times, and never block or obstruct fire exits, equipment or emergency access points. Smoking, vaping and the use of open flames are not permitted within storage areas or other designated no smoking zones.
General Site Rules
For the safety of all, users of Self Storage Merton must keep units, corridors and common areas tidy and free from spillages or tripping hazards, use only authorised access points and not force doors or gates, avoid using makeshift platforms, ladders or unsafe climbing practices, and respect maximum load limits on floors, lifts or mezzanines where indicated.
Children must be supervised at all times while on the premises. Animals are not permitted inside the storage areas except where required by law for assistance purposes, and must be controlled to prevent risk to others.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, damage and safety concerns that occur on site must be reported to Self Storage Merton staff as soon as reasonably practicable. This allows us to respond to immediate hazards, arrange first aid if required, and take steps to prevent recurrence.
In the event of an emergency such as fire, serious injury or security incident, users must follow staff instructions, use designated escape routes, and assemble at the identified safe area. Lifts must not be used in the event of fire. Where necessary, emergency services will be contacted without delay.
Training and Continuous Improvement
Self Storage Merton provides appropriate health and safety training and information to employees in line with their roles and responsibilities. This may include induction training, refresher sessions and updates on any new procedures or equipment. Lessons learned from incidents, inspections and customer feedback are used to improve our systems and practices.
We encourage customers, visitors and removal professionals to cooperate in promoting a safe environment by adhering to this policy, raising any concerns with staff and suggesting improvements where appropriate.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the activities carried out at Self Storage Merton, including storage operations and associated removal and transport activities. Updates may be made at any time to reflect changes in law, best practice or operational requirements. The current version of this policy is available for customers, staff and contractors to read on request.
