Health and Safety Policy for Roehampton Storage

At Roehampton Storage, health and safety is a core part of how we operate every day. We are committed to creating a safe, organised, and responsible storage environment for customers, staff, and visitors. This policy sets out the standards we follow to reduce risk, prevent accidents, and support the secure handling of stored items. It applies to all areas of the facility, including access points, loading areas, circulation routes, and internal storage spaces.

Our approach is based on prevention, awareness, and consistent action. We expect everyone on site to behave responsibly, follow instructions, and report anything that could affect safety. The storage environment must remain tidy, well-managed, and free from avoidable hazards. By maintaining good practice, Roehampton Storage helps protect people, property, and operations alike.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

Roehampton Storage will take reasonable and practical steps to ensure the premises are maintained in a safe condition. This includes regular checks of shared areas, clear access routes, safe equipment use, and prompt attention to any issue that could cause harm. We also aim to make safety information easy to understand so that everyone can act with confidence and care.

Key Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Management will provide suitable oversight, training, and maintenance procedures, while staff are expected to follow safe working practices and apply common sense at all times. Customers and authorised visitors must also take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.

Our general responsibilities include:

• keeping routes, entrances, and loading spaces free from obstruction;
• ensuring equipment is used correctly and only by authorised persons;
• maintaining good housekeeping throughout the facility;
• identifying hazards promptly and acting to reduce risk;
• supporting a culture of careful handling and safe storage.

Staff members receive guidance on safe working methods relevant to their role. This may include the correct use of trolleys, moving and lifting practices, fire awareness, and responding to incidents. Where additional support is needed, we will provide clear instruction before work begins.

Safe Use of the Storage Facility

To maintain a safe environment, all users must ensure that items are packed, stacked, and stored in a stable manner. Heavy goods should be placed lower down where possible, and fragile items should be stored in a way that reduces the chance of damage or breakage. Aisles and access points must remain clear to allow safe movement throughout the site.

We expect all individuals to avoid unsafe behaviour such as running, pushing, climbing on unsuitable surfaces, or attempting to move items beyond their capability. If assistance is required, it should be requested before any manual handling takes place. Customers should also take care when opening units, using locks, or loading vehicles to prevent strain or injury.

Fire safety and emergency readiness are essential elements of this policy. Fire exits, alarms, and emergency equipment must never be blocked or tampered with. In the event of an emergency, everyone must follow site instructions, leave the area calmly, and avoid returning until it is safe to do so. Regular inspections help ensure that emergency arrangements remain effective.

Risk Management and Incident Reporting

We aim to identify hazards before they lead to harm. This includes monitoring slips, trips, poor lighting, damaged fixtures, water ingress, and any condition that may affect safe access. Where needed, corrective action will be taken as soon as reasonably possible. If temporary restrictions are required, they will be introduced to protect users while the issue is resolved.

Any accident, near miss, unsafe condition, or damaged equipment must be reported immediately. Prompt reporting allows us to investigate the cause, prevent recurrence, and improve safety measures. We treat all reports seriously, even when no injury has occurred, because near misses often provide valuable warnings about hidden risk.

Risk assessments are carried out for relevant activities and reviewed when circumstances change. These assessments help us decide what precautions are necessary and whether additional controls are needed. The aim is to keep risks as low as reasonably practical while still allowing the storage facility to operate efficiently.

Equipment, Maintenance, and Housekeeping

All equipment used at Roehampton Storage must be maintained in good working order and inspected at suitable intervals. Any item that appears defective, unsafe, or unreliable must be taken out of use until it has been checked and, where necessary, repaired. This applies to moving aids, access tools, and any other equipment used in daily operations.

Good housekeeping is essential to safe storage operations. Floors should be kept clean and dry where possible, waste should be removed regularly, and packaging materials should not be left in walkways. Clear standards help reduce the likelihood of slips, trips, and manual handling injuries. A tidy environment also supports better security and easier access to units.

Staff are encouraged to stay alert and to challenge unsafe conditions respectfully when they are noticed. Health and safety works best when everyone contributes. By following this policy, Roehampton Storage can continue to provide a safe, reliable, and well-managed storage service that protects people and property every day.