Most agents have no lone worker policies– despite fears

News Category: Industry News

More than half of agents do not have any lone worker policies in place, with no safety procedures in place for staff who carry out viewings or valuations on their own.

More than 1,000 UK agency firms were chosen at random to take part in research carried out in March by a company specialising in workplace safety, Yorkshire-based PPSS.

Significantly, the survey was inspired by a seller asking the firm for guidance – suggesting that the public also have concerns about people they have never met coming into their homes.

Despite all the firms that took part in the study confirming that their employees undertake lone viewings, 58% of staff said they had specific lone worker or personal safety training.

Yet agency staff also said they did not always feel safe when out on site on their own. The findings, for a 24 month period, include:


* 30% of the estate agents questioned had been the victims of verbal abuse

* Almost a quarter felt their safety was being compromised

* 53% didn’t have a lone worker policy

* 16% had been intimidated

* More than one in ten had been threatened while conducting viewings

PPSS managing director Robert Kaiser, who has advised many organisations, including NHS Trusts and Housing Associations, on how to keep their workforce safe, said: “When we set about the research project, I never thought the figures would show that more than half of estate agents don’t have safety policies in place.

“I’ll admit the results of the survey have come as quite a shock, particularly as most people will remember the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh and the kidnap of Stephanie Slater – both estate agents.

“However, despite 100% of those surveyed saying they and their staff met clients by themselves, less than half had ever received any safety training. I find that both shocking and disappointing.

“While there is no specific law dealing with lone working, all health and safety legislation applies equally to lone workers, and in some cases is even more applicable.

“Sadly, employers often forget their responsibilities to lone workers, particularly in respect of issues such as risk assessment. It is the employer’s duty to assess risks to lone workers and take steps to avoid or control risk where necessary.”


Article courtesy of Estate Agent Today Sign up for EAT newsletter