Legal basis: Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (section 2) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3), employers — and self-employed persons — must assess risks to the health and safety of workers, including the specific risks arising from working alone. The HSE publication Working Alone: Health and Safety Guidance on for Employers and Employees (HSG73) sets out good practice expectations for lone workers. This policy implements those expectations.
1. Purpose
This policy sets out the arrangements [Business Name] has in place to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of [Your Name] (and any sub-contractors) when working alone at client premises. As a self-employed cleaner, the majority of work is carried out without a colleague present. This creates specific risks that must be managed.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all lone working activities carried out by [Business Name], including:
- Domestic cleaning at client homes;
- Commercial cleaning at business premises outside normal working hours;
- End-of-tenancy cleaning at vacant properties;
- Any other cleaning work carried out without a colleague present.
Sub-contractors working under this business must be provided with a copy of this policy and the emergency contact details below before commencing work.
3. Risk Identification — Lone Working Hazards
Working alone increases exposure to the following risks compared with working in a group:
- Medical emergency with no assistance available — a fall, chemical exposure, or sudden illness with no colleague to call for help.
- Accident escalation — a minor trip or slip can become serious if the worker is unconscious or immobilised.
- Violence or threatening behaviour — working in a stranger's home carries a low but real risk of interpersonal conflict. Risk is higher at vacant properties or after-hours commercial sites.
- Unknown property hazards — unstable structures, undisclosed pets, undisclosed allergens, or unlabelled chemicals left by occupants.
- Mental wellbeing — isolation and stress of managing difficult client situations without support.
4. Check-In Protocol (Daily)
The following check-in procedure must be followed on all working days:
Before leaving for the first job:
- Send the day's schedule (client names, addresses, approximate times) to the designated contact: [Contact name — e.g. partner, family member, friend] at [their phone number].
- Confirm mobile phone is charged (minimum 50% at start of day) and location services are on.
- Confirm you are aware of any lone-working concerns at today's jobs.
On arrival at each job:
- Text or call the designated contact with the client address and expected finish time.
- Carry out a brief visual check of the premises before entering — note anything unusual.
On leaving each job:
- Text or call the designated contact to confirm you have left safely.
- If more than [30 / 60] minutes late with no contact, the designated contact must call you. If no answer within 10 minutes, call the client. If still no contact, call 999 and provide the last known address.
End of day:
- Text or call the designated contact to confirm the working day is complete.
5. Designated Emergency Contact
| Role | Name | Phone | Relationship |
|---|
| Primary |
[Name] |
[Phone] |
[e.g. partner, sibling, friend] |
| Secondary (if primary unavailable) |
[Name] |
[Phone] |
[Relationship] |
The designated contact has been briefed on this protocol and knows what to do if a check-in is missed.
6. What to Carry at All Times
- Charged mobile phone — always on your person during work, not left in the vehicle.
- This policy document (digital or printed) — including emergency contact details.
- First aid kit — minimum contents: plasters, sterile wipes, gloves, eye wash, bandages.
- Day's schedule — client names, addresses, and expected times.
- Personal safety alarm (recommended): [Brand/model — or "not currently carried"].
7. Pre-Job Checks at Every New Client
Before visiting a new client's premises for the first time:
- Confirm the client's identity and address are correct (check against booking details).
- Carry out a brief risk assessment of the premises on first visit — note any unusual hazards and add them to the job record.
- If the visit is to a vacant property, inform the designated contact before entering and again on exit.
- Trust your instincts — if a situation feels unsafe, leave without explanation and report the incident.
8. Personal Safety Guidance
- Never enter a property if someone there makes you feel unsafe. Your safety takes precedence over the job.
- If challenged or threatened: do not escalate. Leave the property calmly, go to a safe location, and call 999 if appropriate.
- Do not accept drinks or food from clients on first or early visits at sole discretion.
- Park in a visible, well-lit location where possible. Do not block the client's driveway.
- If cleaning at commercial premises out of hours, ensure a building contact is aware you are on-site.
- Do not post real-time location updates to social media showing you are at a client's empty home.
9. Accident, Incident, and Near-Miss Reporting
Any accident, incident, or near-miss while lone working must be recorded as soon as possible using the incident log below (or a separate incident log if maintained).
Incidents that meet the RIDDOR threshold (fatal/specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, dangerous occurrences, or certain occupational diseases) must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive online at hse.gov.uk/riddor within the required timeframe (immediately for fatal/specified; within 15 days for over-7-day incapacitation).
| Date | Location | What happened | Injury / damage | Action taken | RIDDOR required? |
|---|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
10. Wellbeing and Support
Lone working can be isolating. [Business Name] recognises this and commits to:
- Regular check-ins with the designated contact (daily, per the protocol above).
- Seeking peer support from trade networks [e.g. local Facebook groups for self-employed cleaners, BICS membership] where available.
- Taking breaks between jobs and not over-scheduling to the point of fatigue.
- Reviewing this policy if workload, client base, or working patterns change significantly.
11. Review
This policy must be reviewed annually (next review: [Date]) or following any lone-working incident, significant near-miss, or change in working practices.