Health and Safety Policy

1. General Statement
Our aim is to protect, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of everyone who uses this site.

This site is unstaffed. You access and use the site at your own initiative. Your safety, and the safety of anyone with you depends on following these rules.

By entering or using the site you agree to always follow these rules, which are part of your storage agreement. This also applies to any third-party contractor on site on your behalf.

2. Legal and Standards Framework
These rules reflect the operator’s duties under UK law. The list is not exhaustive; task-specific regulations may also apply.

Reference | Application
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.  Duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in our employment (including customers and the public) are not exposed to risks from our activities
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Duty to assess the risks to people who are not our employees and to put suitable controls in place 
Occupiers’ Liability Acts 1957 and 1984.  Duty of care to ensure visitors are reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which they are permitted to be there
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire precautions, escape routes and fire risk assessment for the premises

If there is a risk to life, a fire, or a serious injury: call 999 immediately. Do not wait.
Give the emergency services this exact location so they can find the site:

Emergency information | Detail
Site address Safe and Sound Storage, Upper Farm, Thame Road, Warborough, Oxfordshire, OX10 7AA
what3words | ///adjuster.baffle.completed 
Out-of-hours monitoring Doncaster Security Operations (CCTV)

•     Make yourself safe first. If there is a fire or immediate danger, leave site straight away and call 999 from a safe place.

•     There is no first aider on site. For any medical emergency, call 999.

•     A First Aid Kit is located by the main communications container (centre front).

•     Once the area is safe and you have called 999 where needed, report the incident to us on the numbers above.

•     Access hours are 24 hours.

•     Use your own gate code / fob and keep it private. Never share it or let anyone follow you in (“tailgating”). 

•     Always close and lock your container, ensure your lock pin is fully engaged. 

•     If you are locked out, have lost your fob or code, or the gate will not work, please contact us on the number above or the main number: 01865630118 (during office hours)

•     The site is covered by CCTV for security and safety purposes.

5. Looking After Yourself On Site
Because the site is unstaffed, you may often be here alone. Take simple steps to stay safe:

•     Tell someone where you are and roughly how long you expect to be.

•     Keep your mobile phone charged and on you.

•     Be aware of your surroundings. If something or someone makes you feel unsafe, leave and call us, or call 999 if it is an emergency.

•     If you have a health condition that could affect you while alone, consider bringing someone with you and carry any medication you may need.

•     Take extra care in poor light, wet or icy weather, and wear sensible footwear with a good grip.

•     Drive at no more than 5mph when on site and follow any one-way or signed route.

•     Pedestrians have priority.

•     Take great care when reversing. If you cannot see clearly, get out and check, or ask someone to guide you.

•     Switch off your engine when loading or unloading and never leave a vehicle running unattended.

•     Park directly outside your unit while loading, be aware of others on site.

•     Apply the handbrake and remove the keys whenever you step away from your vehicle.

•     No smoking or vaping anywhere on site, including inside your unit.

•     No naked flames, candles, heaters, cooking or hot work (for example grinding, cutting or welding) anywhere on site.

•     Do not store any flammable, combustible or explosive items as per your storage agreement.

•     Keep aisles, doorways, fire exits and roadways completely clear so everyone can get out and emergency services can get in.

•     If you discover a fire: do not tackle it. Leave the site immediately, call 999, then call us on 01865630118

The following must never be stored on site. This list summarises the rules; the full and binding list is in your storage agreement. If you are unsure about anything, ask us before you bring it on site.

•     Petrol, diesel, oils, gas bottles or cylinders, and any compressed or flammable gas.

•     Paints, solvents, chemicals, fertilisers, or any flammable, corrosive, toxic or hazardous substance.

•    Fireworks, explosives, ammunition, firearms or other weapons.

•     Asbestos, and any waste or polluting material.

•     Living things: people, animals or plants. No one may live or sleep in a unit.

•     Food or perishable goods, or anything that may rot, smell or attract pests or vermin.

•     Illegal items, stolen goods, drugs, or the proceeds of crime.
•     Cash, jewellery, precious metals or stones, and other irreplaceable or very high value items.

•     Vehicles or equipment with fuel in the tank or batteries connected, unless we have agreed it in writing.

•     Plan the lift. If something is heavy or awkward, get help or split the load.

•     Keep the load close to your body, bend your knees rather than your back, and avoid twisting while carrying.

•     Bring a sack truck or other lifting device with you if necessary.

•     Do not stack items higher than is safe and stable. Heavy items go at the bottom, lighter items on top.

•     Do not climb on boxes, shelving or stored items to reach height. Use a proper, suitable stepladder where needed.

•     Take care with the gate and container doors. Keep fingers and feet clear of edges, runners and hinges.
•     On windy days, doors can swing or slam. Secure doors when open and keep clear of them.

Housekeeping
•     Keep your unit and the area outside it tidy. Do not leave items, packaging or waste in shared spaces.
•     Clear up any spills straight away and report them to us. Take any rubbish away with you.

10. Children and Pets

•     A self-storage site is a working environment with vehicles and heavy items. It is not a safe place for children to play.

•     Children must be always supervised by a responsible adult and kept away from roadways, vehicles and doors.
•     Keep pets under close control. Animals must not be left in units or vehicles.

11. Electrical and Battery Safety
•     Do not leave any electrical item switched on, charging or running unattended in your unit.
•     Take particular care with lithium batteries (in tools, e-bikes, scooters and similar). Do not store damaged or swollen batteries, and do not charge batteries on site unless we have agreed it.
•     Report any burning smell, smoke, hot equipment or damaged wiring immediately, and call 999 if there is any sign of fire.

12. Reporting Problems, Hazards and Accidents
Because no one is on site, we rely on you to tell us when something is wrong. Please report:
•     Any accident or injury, however minor.
•     Any hazard, damage or fault, for example a broken light, damaged door, trip hazard, spillage, or a gate or lock that will not work.
•     Anything that makes you feel unsafe, and any suspicious activity.
For anything urgent or dangerous, phone us. In an emergency, call 999 first.

13. General Conduct
•     Only access your own unit and the shared routes to it.
•     Do not live, sleep or carry out work or a business activity in your unit beyond storing goods, unless we have agreed it in writing.
•     Treat the site, other customers and our equipment with respect, and leave the site as you found it.
•     We may refuse access or end an agreement where these rules are not followed, and safety is put at risk.

14. Monitoring and Review
These rules are reviewed at least every 12 months, and sooner following a significant incident, a change in legislation or HSE guidance, or a material change to the site, its layout or its risks