Self Storage Docklands Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Docklands is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors and contractors, including removals and transport partners who use our facilities. We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks in a proactive and systematic way and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Policy Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a positive health and safety culture across all storage and handling activities. We aim to identify hazards, control risks and ensure that everyone on site understands their responsibilities. This includes the safe movement of goods in and out of the facility, particularly during loading and unloading associated with removal services.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Self Storage Docklands has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Senior management will:
Ensure that suitable resources, information and training are provided to support safe working practices.
Regularly assess risks associated with storage operations, vehicle movements and manual handling activities.
Maintain safe and well-maintained premises, including access routes, corridors, stairways, lifts and loading bays.
Review and update this policy periodically and following any significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Employees are required to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and signage displayed on site.
Use equipment and safety devices correctly and report any defects immediately.
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions promptly so that corrective action can be taken.
Participate in training and cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.
Customers, Visitors and Removal Companies
We welcome customers, visitors and contracted removal companies to our facility, and we expect all parties to behave safely and responsibly while on site. Customers and removals personnel must:
Follow site rules, instructions from staff and any safety notices displayed in loading areas, corridors and storage zones.
Park and manoeuvre vehicles only in designated areas and observe speed limits and traffic directions within the site.
Use appropriate manual handling techniques and equipment, such as trolleys, where provided.
Ensure that children and pets, where present, are supervised at all times and kept clear of loading operations.
Not block fire exits, walkways or emergency access routes with goods or vehicles.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Self Storage Docklands carries out risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with storage operations, including lifting and handling, working at height within units, use of equipment and vehicle movements. Based on these assessments we implement control measures such as:
Clear signage and floor markings to guide pedestrians and vehicles.
Regular inspection and maintenance of loading bays, ramps, lifts and trolleys.
Safe stacking and storage guidance to prevent falls of goods.
Procedures to manage particularly heavy, bulky or awkward items often handled during removals.
Controls on access to restricted or staff-only areas.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key aspect of storage and removal activities. To reduce the risk of strains and injuries, we:
Provide suitable moving equipment, such as trolleys and pallet trucks, where appropriate.
Encourage the use of team lifting for heavy or awkward loads.
Advise customers and removals teams to pack goods safely and to respect any weight restrictions in lifts and units.
Ensure that any powered equipment used by staff is operated only by trained and authorised personnel.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Self Storage Docklands maintains fire safety arrangements in line with relevant regulations. These include:
Clearly marked fire exits, escape routes and assembly points.
Appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, regularly inspected and maintained.
Restrictions on the storage of prohibited or high-risk materials, such as flammable or explosive substances.
Emergency procedures for evacuation, communicated to staff and supported by clear signage for customers and removal crews.
All persons on site must follow staff instructions in the event of an emergency and must not obstruct fire doors or equipment.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses occurring on our premises must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. We will record and, where appropriate, investigate such events to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. This process applies to employees, customers, visitors and external removals staff using our facility.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide employees with induction training and ongoing instruction on safe working practices relevant to storage operations, customer service and site supervision. Where necessary, specific training is provided on topics such as manual handling, fire safety and the safe use of equipment. We also provide clear information to customers and removal companies about site rules and safe use of facilities, both verbally and through signage and written guidance.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Self Storage Docklands is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We monitor compliance through inspections, audits, incident reports and feedback from staff, customers and contractors. This policy, and associated procedures, will be reviewed regularly and updated where required to reflect changes in operations, legislation, industry best practice or risk assessment findings.
Policy Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is made available to employees, customers, visitors and removal companies. All parties who use or work within our facility are expected to familiarise themselves with the contents of this policy and to cooperate in its implementation. By working together, we aim to ensure that Self Storage Docklands remains a safe and well-managed environment for storage and associated removal activities.
