The health, safety, and welfare of lone workers in the cleaning industry

In the UK, it is estimated that up to 8 million people are lone workers. That’s more than 20% of the 31.2m working population.

What is a lone worker?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines a lone worker as ‘someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision.’ It’s a general description covering a lot of different situations - from a home-working accountant to a highways inspector.

Typical lone worker roles include those who:

• Work alone at a fixed base - petrol station attendant, shop worker
• Work outside of normal hours - security, cleaners, maintenance
• Work away from a fixed base - delivery drivers, health-care workers
• Work from their home - marketing, accountants, graphic designers

It's worth noting that a lone worker doesn't necessarily have to be an individual who operates independently. A person could still be part of a team, yet parts of their role require them to work in isolation and not under direct supervision from other personnel.

How can lone cleaning workers be supported?

Cleaners who work alone face a variety of potential risks, from physical injury to emotional distress. Employers can support lone workers by providing appropriate safety training, establishing clear communication policies and procedures, and ensuring lone workers have access to appropriate resources for emotional wellbeing.

Risks associated with lone working as a cleaner include slips and falls due to hazardous surfaces or inadequate illumination; exposure to chemical products or other hazards; being locked in, and the threat of violence from customers or intruders. To reduce the risk of such incidents occurring, employers should carry out regular risk assessments of their worksites and review them periodically according to any new circumstances or changes in the workplace.

How can time and attendance software support my lone cleaners?

Time and attendance software can support lone workers by providing managers with visibility to track employee hours worked remotely and ensure they are clocking in and out of locations and following their work schedules correctly. Time and attendance systems can also record absences due to illness or injury, alerting supervisors when lone workers make extended absences, which could indicate potential distress or risk. By using time and attendance software, employers can better monitor lone worker safety and ensure their cleaners receive adequate safety training before they begin lone working tasks.

By taking the necessary steps to protect lone workers, employers will benefit from improved employee morale, increased productivity levels and reduced risk of accidents or incidents occurring when lone workers are on duty.

By integrating a time and attendance system into their operations, employers can uphold their duty of care to guarantee the safety and security of lone workers. The Access Ezitracker cleaning software sends an alert to supervisors if any employee fails to log out, providing risk management solutions that prove employers are committed to protecting those working alone.

Ezitracker's digital staff monitoring software allows remote workers to enter and exit client sites via landline, text messaging, a mobile application or biometric devices. If an employee neglects to log in or out of the site, the time and attendance software will immediately send out alerts so cleaning supervisors can take action right away — bringing on substitute personnel swiftly or verifying their safety.

Communicating with a broader selection of effective methods is integral to raising employee understanding of company safety policies and promoting better communication between employers and employees.