Health and Safety Policy for Sladegreen Storage

At Sladegreen Storage, health and safety is a core responsibility that supports our staff, customers, contractors, and visitors. This policy sets out the principles we follow to create a secure, well-managed environment where risks are identified early, controlled effectively, and reviewed regularly. Our commitment is to maintain a safe workplace through clear standards, ongoing awareness, and practical prevention measures.

The aim of this storage health and safety policy is to reduce the likelihood of accidents, protect property, and ensure that all activities are carried out responsibly. We recognise that self-storage and facility operations involve movement, handling, access control, and equipment use. For that reason, our approach focuses on prevention, communication, and accountability.

We expect everyone on site to act with care, follow stated procedures, and report concerns promptly. A safe storage environment depends on cooperation from all parties, including those moving goods, operating equipment, or entering shared areas. This policy applies to all parts of the business and supports a consistent standard of safety across daily operations.

Responsibilities and Safety Standards

Management holds overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing the Sladegreen Storage safety policy. This includes providing suitable supervision, ensuring equipment is maintained, and making sure hazards are addressed in a timely way. Supervisors are expected to monitor conditions, reinforce safe behaviour, and take action where practices fall below required standards.

Employees are required to work safely, use equipment properly, and comply with instructions, signage, and site rules. Contractors and visitors must also respect facility procedures and avoid behaviours that could create risk. Everyone should wear appropriate protective items where needed, keep access routes clear, and never interfere with safety devices or emergency equipment.

Risk Management and Preventive Measures

Risk assessments are carried out to identify hazards such as slips, trips, manual handling strain, poor storage stacking, fire risks, and vehicle movement. These assessments are used to determine practical control measures, including housekeeping routines, storage limits, safe lifting practices, and restricted access to hazardous areas. Where required, additional controls are introduced to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

Fire safety is treated as a priority within our health and safety policy for storage facilities. Fire exits, alarms, extinguishers, and escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times. Combustible materials should be stored carefully, and any electrical equipment should be used responsibly and checked for visible faults. Staff are trained to respond calmly and efficiently if an alarm is activated or an incident occurs.

Housekeeping is a key part of safe operations. Floors, corridors, loading areas, and communal spaces must be kept tidy and free from unnecessary obstruction. Spills should be cleaned promptly, waste should be disposed of correctly, and items should be returned to designated places after use. Good housekeeping reduces the chance of accidents and supports an orderly, professional environment.

Manual handling is another important area of concern. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling must be performed with care, especially when dealing with heavy or awkward items. Where possible, mechanical aids should be used, loads should be assessed before movement, and staff should avoid rushing. Safe handling protects individuals from injury and helps preserve the condition of stored items.

Security, Incident Reporting, and Emergency Response

The safety of the site is closely linked to security measures. Access controls, surveillance systems, lock checks, and visitor procedures help prevent unauthorised entry and reduce the risk of interference, theft, or damage. Security arrangements are monitored and reviewed as needed so that they remain effective and proportionate.

Any accident, near miss, unsafe condition, or damaged equipment must be reported immediately. Prompt reporting allows the business to investigate causes, put corrective actions in place, and prevent repetition. Records are kept to support learning and to track recurring issues that may require additional control measures.

Emergency procedures are designed to support a fast and orderly response. Staff should know the location of exits, emergency equipment, and assembly points, and should follow instructions given during an incident. Regular checks are made to ensure that key safety features remain operational and that the site can respond effectively to fire, injury, power failure, or other emergencies.

Training, Monitoring, and Review

Training is essential to maintaining a strong storage facility safety culture. New staff receive induction covering site rules, hazards, emergency action, and reporting procedures. Ongoing training is provided where tasks, equipment, or risks change. We expect learning to be practical, clear, and relevant to day-to-day responsibilities.

Monitoring is carried out through inspections, checks, and supervision. This helps identify trends, confirm that controls are working, and highlight where improvements are required. When issues are found, they are addressed promptly and followed up to ensure corrective action has been completed effectively.

We review this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable, current, and aligned with the way the business operates. Changes in processes, equipment, occupancy, or risk profile may require updates. By reviewing performance and applying lessons learned, Sladegreen Storage continues to strengthen its approach to safety.

This policy reflects our commitment to a responsible and well-managed environment where safety is built into everyday practice. Everyone has a role to play in protecting themselves and others, and in helping Sladegreen storage health and safety standards remain high. Through care, vigilance, and cooperation, we aim to provide a secure and dependable service for all users.