Your Responsibility as a Business Owner

As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for yourself, your family, and any paid or unpaid employees who may assist you.

To support you, we've compiled proven safety practices from experienced Laundry Ladies and Lads across our network.

You are required to develop and implement your own safety plan that addresses the specific risks and hazards associated with your laundry services business. 

This document provides safety considerations that experienced contractors have found useful. It does not replace professional or legal advice, and you should always consult official resources in your country to ensure compliance.

Safe Use of Equipment

• Know your gear: It’s recommended that you always check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dryers, washing machines, irons, and steamers, and conduct regular maintenance and cleaning.
• Clean lint filters regularly and check vents and drainage for blockages
• Let machines cool down: Run full cool down cycles where possible. If unavailable, wait 5-10 minutes before handling laundry.
• Stay nearby: Overheating or faults can occur. It is recommended not to leave machines or irons running unattended.
• Never leave dryers running if no one is home. Many Laundry Lady & Lads choose to always be present in the house when dryers are in use.
• Check machines regularly. It’s a good idea to check in every 30 minutes to make sure everything is running safely and there are no unusual smells, noises, or overheating.
• Irons and steamers should never be left unattended. Many Laundry Lady & Lads choose to unplug equipment immediately after each use rather than leaving it switched on. Ensure all equipment is stored out of reach of children and pets.
• If in doubt, stop the machine. If something doesn’t feel right, pause and investigate before continuing.

Best Practices for Drying & Aftercare

• Don’t bag items straight from the dryer: It’s recommended to fold laundry while still warm to reduce creasing but allow laundry to cool completely before packing. We recommend using our reusable branded fabric bags, or paper-based bags rather than plastic.
• Spread items out or hang them Many contractors spread items out or hang them briefly to let residual heat dissipate. This simple step helps keep fabrics fresh and lowers the chance of heat-related damage.
  
• Be aware of residual oil: Kitchen and commercial towels can sometimes hold onto grease or oils. Washing these separately, using the recommended Laundry Lady detergents or products suited to the material, helps reduce risks. Always check care labels for best results.
  
• Store cooled items safely: To keep laundry fresh and safe, most contractors use open baskets or shelves. Avoid stacking items too tightly or placing them straight into enclosed spaces while they’re still holding residual warmth.

Ironing & Steamer Safety

• Place equipment on heat-safe surfaces
  Most contractors find it easiest to protect their benches and floors by resting a hot iron or steamer only on a heat-resistant mat, stand, or holder. This avoids damage and reduces fire risk.
  
• Set up a dedicated steam station
  Customers consistently tell us their laundry looks best when a steam station iron is used. Having a unit with a built-in holder and a dedicated spot for your iron or steamer helps protect surfaces and lowers the chance of accidents.
  
• Unplug and cool down properly
  A best practice is to unplug your iron or steamer straight after use. Let it cool fully before packing it away, especially if you’re storing it in a cupboard or enclosed area.
  
• Store safely
  To prevent accidents at home, many contractors choose to keep equipment out of reach of children and pets. Wrapping cords loosely (and never around hot parts) keeps your tools in good condition and ready for next time.

Electrical Safety

• Don’t overload power points: Surge protected boards are safer than double adaptors.
• Check cords regularly for wear, fraying, or exposed wires. Replace damaged equipment immediately.
  
• Keep water away from electricity: Avoid operating equipment with wet hands or near sinks, wet floors, or buckets.
• Test & Tagging: Many contractors choose to have their electrical equipment (dryers, irons, steam stations) tested and tagged at regular intervals to comply with safety standards. In at home work environments this is usually every 5 years. It’s recommended to check local requirements and keep your equipment safe and in good working order.
• Testing and tagging must be done by a competent person, usually someone trained and certified to carry out electrical safety testing. It doesn’t always need to be an electrician, but they must be qualified in test and tag.

Record keeping:

Each item tested gets a tag with:

• Test date
  
• Next test due date
  
• Tester’s name/company
  

Records of testing should be kept by the business (or contractor) for compliance.

Chemical Safety

• Know your products: Each chemical comes with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). These outline the correct handling, risks, and first aid advice if something goes wrong. Many suppliers include SDS sheets on their websites or with the product. Keep copies (digital or printed) handy for any products you use regularly. Follow directions when using detergents, stain removers, and fabric softeners.
  
• Store chemicals away from children, pets,heat sources and any electrical equipment.
• Each chemical comes with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). These outline correct handling, risks, PPE, and first aid. Keep a copy (digital or printed) handy for any product you use regularly. You can find them on KB
• Never mix cleaning products.
  

Personal Safety 

Many Laundry Ladies & Lads share that small habits make a big difference. These ergonomic tips help you avoid injury and stay comfortable day to day. Consider developing procedures for:

• Manual handling techniques and load limits (bending knees, not back)
• Rest break schedules to prevent repetitive strain when folding or ironing
• Personal protective equipment selection and use
• Ergonomic workstation setup

Electrical safety practices

• Regular checking of cords for wear, fraying, or exposed wires
• Immediate replacement of damaged equipment
• Keeping water away from electrical operations
• Avoiding operation of equipment with wet hands or near wet areas

Equipment storage safety: Ensuring irons, steamers, and all equipment are stored out of reach of children and pets, with cords wrapped loosely and not around hot surfaces

Preventing Spontaneous Combustion

Certain fabrics, especially commercial kitchen towels, may retain oil even after washing. When combined with heat and restricted airflow, they pose a real risk of spontaneous combustion. Always cool and ventilate these items thoroughly before storage.

In Case of Heat-Related Incidents

Heat build-up in laundry can be extremely dangerous. What feels like just a “warm pile of towels” can actually ignite hours later if oils or residues are present. Acting quickly at the first sign of a burning smell or unusual heat can prevent a fire, protect your home, and keep your family safe.

Call emergency services if fire or smoke is present or if in doubt. 

• If you smell burning or items feel unusually hot: Remove and separate them immediately in a ventilated area.
  
• Call emergency services if smoke or fire is present.
  (911 in Canada) (000 in Australia) (111 in New Zealand) 
  
• You are encouraged to report any near-misses or incidents as soon as possible. This helps us improve safety for everyone.

Incident Reporting

Safety isn’t just about preventing accidents, it’s also about learning from them. By reporting incidents or near misses, you’re helping create a safer environment for yourself, your family, and fellow Laundry Lady & Lads.

• Report any near-miss or incident.
• Use the Contractor Support Form to notify Head Office
• Create a support ticket here: Support Ticket
• Review the KB article: Managing and reporting an Incident
• Include photos and a written account — this helps keep everyone safe

Quick Safety Checklist for Consideration

When developing your daily safety procedures, experienced contractors have found it helpful to include regular checks such as:

• Allowing items to cool before bagging or storage
• Cleaning filters and checking vents regularly
• Ensuring electrical sockets are not overloaded
• Storing chemicals safely away from heat, electrical equipment, children, and pets
• Using proper lifting techniques
• Ensuring equipment is stored out of reach of children and pets
• Having immediate access to emergency contact information
• Reporting any incidents or near-misses promptly through established procedures

Disclaimer: This document provides general considerations only and does not constitute legal or safety advice. Each contractor must develop their own workplace health and safety plan appropriate to their specific circumstances and in compliance with applicable laws. Professional advice should be sought for specific situations and legal compliance requirements.