Storage West Green Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage West Green manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. Our operations include self storage facilities and associated removal and handling services, and we are committed to maintaining safe working and visiting conditions at all times.
Policy Statement
Storage West Green aims to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying and controlling risks in all areas of our activities. We will provide safe premises, equipment, and systems of work, and we expect everyone on our sites to follow our health and safety arrangements.
This policy applies to all locations operated by Storage West Green and to all persons who access our premises, including staff, contractors, and customers using storage and removal services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained, and regularly reviewed. Management will:
Carry out and regularly update risk assessments covering storage units, loading areas, parking areas, access routes, and any removal or handling activities. Provide and maintain safe equipment, including handling aids such as trolleys and ramps, and ensure they are inspected and maintained as required. Establish safe systems of work for loading, unloading, lifting, and transporting goods. Provide appropriate training, supervision, and information so that employees are competent to perform their roles safely. Ensure that emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and incident response, are clearly communicated, practiced, and understood. Monitor compliance with this policy and take corrective action where necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty 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 health and safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use equipment and handling aids correctly and report any defects immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety, particularly during busy removal or loading periods. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, or unsafe conditions without delay. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and in any investigations following an incident. Wear any personal protective equipment supplied for particular tasks, such as manual handling or work in loading areas.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment at our premises. Customers, including those using our removal and transport services, are expected to:
Follow safety instructions provided by staff and displayed on signage. Park vehicles only in designated areas and follow any one way or traffic flow systems on site. Supervise children and dependants at all times. Load and unload in a controlled manner and make use of handling equipment carefully. Store items safely within units, stacking goods so they are stable and not likely to fall when the door is opened. Refrain from bringing prohibited or hazardous items onto the premises.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage West Green conducts regular risk assessments covering key activities, including customer access, staff operations, and removal and handling work. These assessments identify hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling risks, vehicle movements, fire hazards, and risks of falling objects.
Control measures may include clear walkways, marked loading zones, speed restrictions for vehicles, guidance on safe lifting techniques, and limits on the types of goods that can be stored. Procedures are established for operating in busy periods, adverse weather, and other higher risk situations.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is central to storage and removal activity. To reduce the risk of strain or injury, we:
Provide guidance to staff and customers on correct lifting and carrying techniques. Encourage the use of trolleys, pallet trucks, and similar aids for heavier items. Advise on appropriate packing of boxes and on spreading weight evenly. Restrict the movement or handling of items that are excessively heavy, unstable, or unsafe.
Equipment provided for handling and access is to be used only for its intended purpose. Any faults or damage must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use where necessary.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire safety arrangements appropriate to our storage environment. These include clearly signed emergency exits, maintained fire detection and, where provided, fire fighting equipment, and unobstructed escape routes. Emergency procedures and evacuation routes are displayed on site.
All persons on the premises must follow staff instructions during an emergency, evacuate promptly when an alarm sounds, and must not re enter until told it is safe to do so by an authorised person.
Control of Hazardous and Prohibited Items
For the safety of everyone, certain items must not be stored or handled at our facilities. These include flammable, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous materials, illegal goods, perishable or decomposing items, and any substance or item that could present a risk to health, safety, or the environment.
Customers are provided with information about prohibited items and are responsible for ensuring that their goods comply with our requirements. Staff are authorised to refuse access or storage where they reasonably believe safety rules are being breached.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses on our premises must be reported to a member of staff as soon as possible. We will record relevant details and investigate to identify root causes and implement measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Where appropriate, we will review risk assessments, procedures, and training following any significant incident.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage West Green provides health and safety induction and role specific training for employees, particularly those involved in customer facing, warehouse, and removal related work. Refresher training is provided as necessary or when procedures change. Information on key safety rules is also displayed on signage within the premises.
Supervisors monitor day to day compliance, provide guidance where required, and intervene if unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when changes in operations, legislation, or guidance require it. Updated versions are communicated to employees and made available to customers on request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Storage West Green aims to provide a safe, well managed environment for storage, removals, and related services.
