Do Employers Have to Provide Workplace Lockers?

Outside of home, the workplace is where employees spend the majority of their time - which makes creating a safe and secure environment essential.

Part of that responsibility includes ensuring staff feel confident that their personal belongings are protected throughout the workday. Installing secure workplace lockers is a simple and effective way to provide that peace of mind.

If you’re considering adding lockers but aren’t sure where to begin, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right solution for your space.

Do Employers Have to Provide Workplace Lockers?

No, the UK law does not have a specific piece of legislation that requires employers to provide workplace lockers. However, some regulations still confirm that the protection of employee valuables is a necessity under health and safety compliance.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992, it is required for employers to provide staff with suitable facilities for clothing and changing - if employees might need to change out of workwear, uniforms or PPE at work. 

Moreover, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that PPE must be stored safely at work to prevent damage or loss. Often, employers will choose lockers as a way of providing this storage. 

What Are The Benefits of Workplace Lockers?

Avoids Conflict at Work

If employees don’t have an appropriate place to store their belongings and valuable items, it can cause disputes to occur. Whether it’s accusations of theft, frustrations as items have been misplaced, or confusion over who owns what, it can create a hostile work environment where many feel uncomfortable. 

Upholds Employee Wellbeing 

When employees know their items are safe while they’re working, they’ll feel more secure within this environment. Without the added anxiety of not knowing how secure their belongings are, employees can relax in a workplace that takes care of them and the items they own. 

More Efficient Workplace 

With workplace lockers, you can run a more efficient business that prioritises organisation. When employees know where their belongings are, less time is wasted on searching for misplaced items. Moreover, as stuff is stored away, there’s less room for trip hazards so safety is upheld. 

Encourages Better Hygiene

Hygiene is important in any setting - but some workplaces have more severe requirements for cleanliness than others (think healthcare, restaurants etc). With lockers, staff can avoid cases of cross-contamination by storing personal items away from used PPE. Ultimately, it helps to keep employees protected throughout their shift and afterwards.  

What Type of Workplaces Might Benefit From Lockers?

Retail

Retail environments often require employees to wear badges, name tags, uniform, and in some cases, PPE. With PPE lockers, employees are able to keep these belongings stored away and also leave some items at work - making commutes more convenient. 

Offices

Offices aren’t necessarily workplaces that have a lot of fire hazards, nor is there a lot of danger posed, but having lockers can still be useful. Nowadays, most offices offer hybrid working, meaning that many employees don’t have assigned desks. Therefore, office lockers provide a way for them to keep items secure when desks are shared. 

Healthcare Facilities

Because of severe hygiene and safety requirements, healthcare facilities are also an ideal workplace for lockers. As previously mentioned, staff can store personal items in their locker away from PPE and avoid cross-contamination. 

Factories 

Lockers are particularly useful in a factory setting where employees might need to change into other workwear, including boots, gloves, high visibility clothing, and more. With PPE stored properly in a factory locker, there’s less chance of items going missing.

Other Public Service Settings 

In public service environments where many people come and go, such as police stations, schools, libraries etc, workplace lockers can be particularly useful for keeping your employees’ items secure and away from the general public.

What Should I Look For in a Workplace Locker?

With the right locker selection, you’ll find that security, hygiene, and overall wellbeing could improve in your workplace (all whilst you maintain compliance). To pick the best locker for your workplace, ensure you consider:

• The size and capacity: Lockers need to be large enough for staff to be able to store all their items, so assess what they might need to put in there to find the best solution.
• Security and key storage: Look for strong locking options that prevent others from accessing the lockers.
• Material and durability: Locker materials affect strength and longevity. Ensure you pick a locker made of steel or similar materials as it is sturdy and robust. 

Secure Your Workplace With Safe Options

We know it’s both your moral and legal obligation to ensure employees have a safe place to work. That’s why, at Safe Options, we’ve helped thousands of businesses in a variety of industries across the country find the best workplace locker solution for them. 

With help from our expert team, you’ll be able to safeguard your people and operations - better than ever. What’s more, any product from our safety and storage solutions is ready to be delivered straight to your premises at your convenience. Get in touch today for more information and guidance. 

Workplace Lockers FAQs

Do Workplace Lockers Need to be Lockable?

Yes, workplace lockers generally do need to be lockable, as this ensures employee property is protected. Whilst no legislation explicitly states that they should be lockable, providing secure storage is part of your duty of care as an employer. 

Who is Responsible For Locker Maintenance?

The employer is responsible for keeping lockers working and secure. You must make sure they are safe to use and clean. But you can still encourage employees to look after their lockers with gentle reminders or posters nearby.