Self Storage Kensington Health and Safety Policy
Self Storage Kensington is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for all customers, employees, contractors, visitors and partner removal companies. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks across our storage facilities and associated services, including activities related to loading, unloading and transporting goods.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and minimise risks associated with the use of our storage units and supporting services. We aim to:
Identify and manage hazards in all operational areas.
Provide safe access, egress and circulation throughout our premises.
Promote safe manual handling and lifting practices, especially during loading and removal activities.
Maintain equipment, plant and infrastructure in a safe condition.
Ensure all staff receive appropriate health and safety training.
Encourage customers and removal partners to follow safe working practices at all times.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Self Storage Kensington has overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. This includes:
Developing, implementing and reviewing this health and safety policy.
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, recorded and periodically reviewed.
Providing adequate resources to maintain safe premises, equipment and systems of work.
Ensuring that staff are informed of their duties and receive relevant training and supervision.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and implementing corrective actions.
Monitoring compliance with legal requirements and recognised good practice.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided.
Use equipment and safety devices correctly and report any defects immediately.
Keep access routes, corridors, stairways and loading areas clear of obstructions.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to management without delay.
Cooperate fully with any investigation or health and safety initiative.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
While on our premises, customers and visitors must conduct themselves safely and respect the safety of others. Customers and visitors are expected to:
Follow site signage and instructions given by staff.
Use trolleys, lifts and other equipment safely and only for their intended purpose.
Observe safe manual handling techniques and avoid overloading trolleys or vehicles.
Keep children under close supervision at all times.
Refrain from bringing prohibited or hazardous items into the storage facility.
Report any hazards, damage or unsafe conditions to a member of staff.
Partner Removal Companies and Contractors
We work with removal companies and other contractors to support customers with moving and storage. All external service providers operating on our premises must:
Comply with this health and safety policy and any site-specific rules.
Provide suitably trained, competent staff for all work undertaken.
Ensure vehicles are parked and manoeuvred safely in designated areas.
Use safe systems of work for loading, unloading and transporting goods.
Provide and use appropriate personal protective equipment where necessary.
Cooperate with our staff in managing shared risks in loading bays, corridors and lift areas.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Self Storage Kensington conducts risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with our operations, including storage areas, access routes, car parks, loading bays and any handling equipment. Based on these assessments we implement controls such as:
Clear signage and wayfinding throughout the premises.
Defined pedestrian and vehicle routes where appropriate.
Weight limits for lifts, trolleys and storage units.
Procedures for safe use of loading areas and access doors.
Restrictions on storage of hazardous, flammable or illegal substances.
These measures are reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Many activities at a storage facility involve moving, lifting and stacking items. To reduce the risk of injury we:
Provide guidance on safe lifting, carrying and loading techniques.
Offer trolleys and similar equipment to assist with moving heavier items.
Display clear information on weight limits and correct operation of lifts.
Encourage customers and removal partners to plan loads carefully and avoid overreaching or overloading.
Staff and contractors must never operate any equipment for which they are not trained or authorised.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Self Storage Kensington maintains procedures for fire safety and emergency response. These include:
Fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to the premises.
Clearly marked fire exits and escape routes kept free from obstruction.
Designated assembly points at a safe distance from the building.
Regular checks of fire safety equipment and emergency lighting.
Staff training on emergency evacuation and incident reporting.
In the event of an alarm, all occupants must leave the building immediately using the nearest safe exit and follow staff instructions.
Security and Personal Safety
To support the safety of all users of the facility we operate measures such as controlled access, surveillance and secure unit locking systems. Customers, removal teams and visitors are requested to:
Keep access codes and keys secure and not share them unnecessarily.
Challenge unauthorised access only where it is safe to do so, or report concerns to staff.
Avoid working alone in isolated areas where possible, particularly when handling heavy or bulky items.
Training, Information and Communication
We provide staff with training relevant to their roles, including induction training, refresher sessions and updates when procedures change. Key safety information is communicated through:
Induction briefings and ongoing training.
Signage and notices throughout the premises.
Verbal instructions and advice from staff on-site.
We encourage open communication about safety concerns and welcome suggestions for improvement from staff, customers and partners.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and appropriate to our operations. Reviews will take account of:
Changes in legislation or official guidance.
Results of risk assessments and safety inspections.
Accident and incident reports and any identified trends.
Feedback from employees, customers and removal partners.
Where necessary we will update procedures, training and facilities to continually improve our standards of health and safety.
By working together and following this policy, Self Storage Kensington, our customers, our employees and our partner removal companies can maintain a safe and supportive environment for all.
