Some cleaners may work alone often they clean premises before workplaces are open, or after they have closed in the evenings, or late at night when the rest of the workforce has left. Under these circumstances, cleaning staff face a number of health and safety risks. These include the risk from fire (see section on fire, opposite) and the risk of violence. The need for first aid if an accident occurs or the worker becomes ill must also be considered.
Safety representatives will need to ensure that risk assessments for cleaning staff take account of these hazards. Where the risk assessment shows that the work cannot be carried out safely when cleaners work alone, arrangements for help or back-up must be put in place.
