Workplace Lockers UK: Staff Storage, Security, Compliance and Layout Guide

Workplace lockers provide secure, practical storage for staff clothing, bags, personal belongings, uniforms, PPE, laptops and work equipment. The right specification depends on what employees actually need to store, how many people require storage at peak times, whether lockers are permanently assigned or shared, the working environment and how the organisation intends to manage access.

A locker suitable for a hybrid office may be very different from one required for a factory changing room, warehouse, healthcare staff area or industrial workplace. Capacity, compartment size, material, lock type, layout, cleaning and maintenance all need to be considered before selecting an individual product range.

This guide explains how to specify workplace lockers for UK offices, factories, warehouses, staff changing rooms and other commercial environments. It also covers procurement, welfare considerations, PPE and clothing storage, security, lifecycle cost, replacement parts and future expansion.

If you already know what type of lockers you require, browse our commercial locker range. If you are planning a new office specifically, see our office fit-out locker guide.

Quick Answer: How Should Workplace Lockers Be Specified?

Start with the employees and the belongings they need to store. Establish peak demand, assigned or shared use and whether clothing, PPE, boots, bags, laptops or personal items must fit inside each compartment. Then choose the locker configuration, material and lock before finalising the room layout.

1. Identify the user groups.
2. List what each group needs to store.
3. Establish peak locker demand.
4. Choose assigned, shared or temporary allocation.
5. Select appropriate compartment dimensions.
6. Choose a material suited to the environment.
7. Select a locking system that the organisation can manage.
8. Plan locker position, doors, aisles and benches.
9. Consider welfare, clothing and PPE requirements.
10. Check installation and delivery access.
11. Consider maintenance, keys, locks and replacement parts.
12. Compare whole-life cost rather than purchase price alone.

Workplace lockers should be specified as part of the way the workplace operates, not simply as furniture placed into whatever space remains.

What Are Workplace Lockers Used For?

Workplace storage requirements vary considerably between organisations.

Staff may need lockers for:

• coats and outdoor clothing;
• handbags and backpacks;
• personal belongings;
• work uniforms;
• overalls;
• PPE;
• safety footwear;
• helmets;
• laptops and tablets;
• phones and personal electronics;
• tools and equipment;
• and temporary storage during a working day.

The locker should be sized around the largest regular items rather than simply choosing the maximum number of compartments that can fit along a wall.

Start with the Workplace, Not the Locker Catalogue

Different workplaces produce different storage requirements.

Workplace	Typical storage requirement	Main planning issue
Office	Bags, coats, laptops and personal belongings	Hybrid attendance, appearance and convenient placement
Factory	Uniforms, PPE, boots and personal belongings	Shift changes, durability and changing arrangements
Warehouse	Workwear, PPE, bags and personal belongings	Peak shift demand and robust daily use
Healthcare staff area	Uniforms, clothing and personal belongings	Changing routines, cleaning and controlled staff use
Industrial changing room	Work clothing, PPE, footwear and personal clothing	Changing space, benches, clean and dirty storage where required
Hybrid workplace	Bags, laptops, coats and day-use items	Shared allocation and changing attendance

Step 1: Identify the Workplace Locker Users

Do not assume every employee requires exactly the same locker arrangement.

A workplace can contain several different user groups:

• permanent office staff;
• warehouse operatives;
• factory shift workers;
• engineers;
• cleaners;
• healthcare staff;
• contractors;
• temporary workers;
• visitors;
• and hybrid employees.

Separating these groups during planning can reveal that different locker configurations or access methods are needed.

Step 2: Decide What Staff Need to Store

Measure representative belongings where possible.

Coats and hanging clothing

Where staff need to store coats, uniforms or hanging garments, full-height or suitably configured garment lockers may be more useful than small multi-tier compartments.

Bags and personal belongings

Bags often determine the practical minimum compartment size. A locker may appear large enough for phones, wallets and keys but still be unsuitable if employees routinely bring backpacks, handbags or laptop bags.

PPE and work equipment

Where staff store helmets, safety footwear, protective clothing or equipment, measure those items before selecting the locker configuration.

Laptops and devices

For laptops and tablets, allow for protective cases, chargers and cables. If equipment must charge while stored, consider a purpose-designed charging locker rather than converting ordinary personal storage.

Step 3: Calculate Workplace Locker Capacity

Total employee headcount is not always the correct locker quantity.

Consider:

• maximum simultaneous attendance;
• shift patterns;
• shift overlap;
• hybrid working;
• permanent assignments;
• shared lockers;
• contractors and visitors;
• future recruitment;
• and compartments temporarily unavailable for maintenance.

Assigned workplace lockers

Assigned lockers remain allocated to one employee. They are straightforward to understand and can suit permanent staff who need to leave belongings or workwear on site.

Shared workplace lockers

Shared lockers can serve different employees on different days or shifts. They can reduce physical capacity requirements where attendance genuinely varies, but only if lockers are released and managed consistently.

For workplace-specific capacity calculations, see How Many Workplace Lockers Do You Need?

Peak Attendance Matters More Than Average Attendance

A workplace may average 60 people on site but regularly have 90 present on particular days. A factory may have two shifts overlap during handover. Contractors may create temporary demand that normal staffing figures do not show.

When lockers are shared, calculate capacity around the busiest realistic periods rather than relying on annual or weekly attendance averages.

Assigned vs Shared Workplace Lockers

Factor	Assigned lockers	Shared lockers
User	One regular employee	Different users at different times
Capacity	Usually closer to user headcount	Can reflect peak attendance
Long-term storage	Easy to support	Usually unsuitable unless managed separately
Administration	Allocation and key/credential control	Allocation, clearing and access management
Hybrid working	Can leave large numbers unused	Can use space more efficiently
Personalisation	Easy	Usually limited

Shared storage is not automatically better. Permanent employees who leave uniforms, shoes or personal equipment at work may still require assigned lockers even in a partly hybrid organisation.

Step 4: Choose the Workplace Locker Configuration

Configuration	Typical workplace use
Single tier	Coats, uniforms, PPE and larger bags
Two tier	Bags, folded clothing and general staff storage
Three or four tier	Personal belongings and smaller bags
Five or six tier	Compact day-use storage
Z locker	Workwear where hanging space and user capacity both matter
Clean and dirty configuration	Applications requiring separation of work clothing from personal clothing
Device locker	Phones, tablets and laptops

Increasing the number of doors increases user capacity but reduces the space available inside each compartment. Do not choose a six-door configuration if normal staff bags will not fit comfortably.

Single-Tier Workplace Lockers

Single-tier lockers provide the most storage space per user and can suit workplaces where staff store:

• coats;
• uniforms;
• overalls;
• workwear;
• large bags;
• or bulky personal belongings.

The main disadvantage is lower user capacity per metre of locker bank.

Two-Tier Workplace Lockers

Two-tier lockers are a common compromise where staff need more than a small personal compartment but full-height hanging storage is unnecessary.

They can work well for bags, folded clothing and everyday personal storage.

Multi-Tier Workplace Lockers

Higher-tier lockers provide more compartments within a fixed floor area and can suit offices or other environments where employees mainly need compact personal storage.

Before selecting them, check actual bag and equipment sizes rather than estimating from photographs or external locker dimensions.

Workplace Locker Sizes and Dimensions

Locker dimensions should be considered from both the user’s and the room’s perspective.

• Overall height
• Locker width
• Locker depth
• Internal compartment height
• Internal compartment width
• Internal depth
• Door opening
• Shelf position
• Lock projection

For staff-area dimensions and layout, use our Workplace Locker Sizes and Layouts for Staff Areas guide.

Step 5: Choose a Locker Material for the Workplace

The material should suit the environment, cleaning requirements, appearance and expected level of use.

Material	Typical workplace application	Main consideration
Steel	Offices, factories, warehouses and general staff areas	Durable and widely configurable
Laminate door	Offices and higher-specification staff areas	Decorative appearance and robust doors
Plastic	Wet or corrosion-sensitive environments	Moisture and corrosion resistance
Wire mesh	Selected industrial or equipment-storage applications	Visibility and ventilation rather than privacy

The environment should be assessed before choosing purely on appearance or price.

Steel Workplace Lockers

Steel lockers are widely used in offices, warehouses, factories, schools and commercial staff areas because they are available in many different sizes and configurations.

For commercial options, see our metal locker range.

Laminate Door Workplace Lockers

Laminate doors can suit offices, reception-adjacent storage and staff areas where lockers form a visible part of the interior design.

They can provide a more furniture-like appearance while retaining commercial locker functionality.

Plastic Lockers for Wet or Humid Workplaces

Plastic lockers can be useful where moisture or corrosion creates problems for conventional steel equipment.

The complete product specification, including the lock, should still be checked for the actual environmental conditions.

Step 6: Choose the Workplace Locker Lock

The lock should match how employees use the lockers and the amount of administration the organisation is prepared to manage.

Lock type	Strong workplace application	Main management requirement
Keyed cam lock	Permanent assigned lockers	Key issue, return and replacement
Padlock fitting	User-managed storage	Abandoned and inaccessible padlocks
Mechanical combination	Keyless assigned or shared storage	Forgotten-code and reset procedure
Electronic PIN	Flexible or shared workplaces	Codes, batteries and administration
RFID	Sites with compatible staff cards or fobs	Credential administration
Smart managed access	Large hybrid or shared locker estates	Software, permissions and ongoing support

For the full comparison, see our locker locking systems guide.

For workplace-specific lock selection, see Best Lock Options for Workplace Lockers.

Master Keys and Management Access

Management access should be planned when the locks are specified.

Depending on the locking system, authorised access may use:

• a mechanical master key;
• an override key;
• a reset tool;
• an administrator code;
• an RFID management credential;
• or software permissions.

The organisation should define who is authorised to open occupied lockers and how master or override credentials are controlled.

Workplace Locker Security

Security depends on more than the individual lock.

Consider:

• locker construction;
• door and hinge condition;
• lock type;
• locker location;
• visibility and supervision;
• lighting;
• room access;
• key or credential control;
• management override;
• and procedures for leavers and lost credentials.

A sophisticated electronic lock will not compensate for a badly damaged locker door or weak access procedures.

Workplace Locker Welfare and Clothing Storage

UK workplace welfare requirements should be considered where employees need clothing storage or changing facilities.

HSE guidance states that workers should have access to a place to store clothing and that changing facilities are required where special clothing is worn for work and workers cannot reasonably change elsewhere.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations guidance also explains that where changing facilities are required, effective measures should be taken to secure clothing. A lockable locker for each worker is given as one example of how this may be achieved.

Where work clothing becomes dirty, damp or contaminated because of the work, the HSE guidance says it should be accommodated separately from workers’ own clothing.

For current official guidance, see the HSE workplace welfare guidance.

PPE Storage

Where PPE is required for work, appropriate storage may also be necessary when it is not being used.

The storage solution should reflect the equipment involved. Depending on the PPE, this can mean providing appropriate space to help keep equipment clean, dry, protected and separated from contamination.

Not every PPE item requires an individual locker, and the correct provision depends on the work and risk assessment. Locker specification should therefore follow the actual storage requirement rather than assuming one configuration suits every workplace.

Clean and Dirty Clothing Separation

Some workplaces need greater separation between personal clothing and work clothing.

This can be relevant where workwear becomes:

• dirty;
• wet;
• dusty;
• contaminated;
• or otherwise unsuitable for storage with personal clothing.

The correct approach depends on the work activity and risk assessment. Options can include separate compartments, dedicated workwear storage or purpose-designed clean and dirty locker arrangements.

For staff changing areas in more detail, see our Workplace Changing Rooms guide.

Workplace Locker Layout

A locker specification is incomplete until the lockers have been placed into the actual room.

Plan for:

• locker depth;
• open-door projection;
• users standing in front of lockers;
• opposing locker rows;
• benches;
• shift-change traffic;
• doorways;
• fire and circulation routes;
• cleaning access;
• maintenance access;
• and delivery routes.

For detailed workplace layout planning, use Workplace Locker Sizes and Layouts for Staff Areas.

Plan for Shift Changes

Factory and warehouse locker rooms can become busiest when a complete shift arrives or leaves within a short period.

At those times:

• many locker doors may be open simultaneously;
• users may be changing footwear and clothing;
• bags may temporarily occupy floor space;
• benches may be fully occupied;
• one shift may be entering while another leaves.

Design around this peak condition rather than how spacious the room appears when empty.

Workplace Locker Benches

Benches can make changing areas substantially more practical where staff change footwear, uniforms or work clothing.

However, benches also occupy circulation space. Their position should be planned together with the lockers rather than added after the locker banks have already been fixed.

For commercial seating, see our changing room bench seating.

Workplace Lockers for Offices

Office lockers increasingly support a mixture of permanent and flexible working.

Typical storage includes:

• laptop bags;
• handbags and backpacks;
• coats;
• lunch items;
• headphones;
• chargers;
• shoes;
• and personal belongings.

Where staff attendance varies, shared lockers can be considered, but compartment dimensions should still be based on what employees bring to work.

For the detailed office approach, use our Workplace Lockers for Office Fit-Outs guide.

Workplace Lockers for Hybrid Offices

Hybrid offices should plan locker capacity from realistic peak attendance rather than average attendance or total payroll headcount alone.

Consider:

• which days are busiest;
• team attendance patterns;
• visitors;
• contractors;
• staff who require permanent storage;
• day-use users;
• locker clearing procedures;
• and reserve capacity.

Electronic or RFID access can help where changing allocation creates a genuine administrative requirement, but traditional combination systems may also be appropriate for simpler shared arrangements.

Workplace Lockers for Factories

Factory locker requirements are often driven by clothing, PPE and concentrated shift patterns.

Important questions include:

• Do staff change into workwear?
• Are boots stored?
• Are helmets or bulky PPE involved?
• Does work clothing need separation from personal clothing?
• How many employees change simultaneously?
• Are benches required?
• How frequently are lockers cleaned?
• What level of physical durability is required?

Small multi-tier lockers may provide excellent theoretical capacity but perform poorly where workers need to store bulky uniforms and equipment.

Workplace Lockers for Warehouses

Warehouse staff often need storage for a mixture of personal belongings and work-related clothing or PPE.

Durability, practical compartment size, simple lock administration and shift-change capacity are usually more important than complex technology unless there is a specific need for electronic management.

Workplace Lockers for Healthcare Staff

Healthcare staff storage can involve uniforms, changing shifts and controlled staff areas.

Specification should consider:

• what staff store;
• changing arrangements;
• cleaning requirements;
• staff turnover;
• temporary workers;
• lock management;
• and whether specific separation is required by the site’s procedures or risk assessment.

Charging Lockers for Workplace Devices

Where employees need to store and charge laptops, tablets, phones or rechargeable equipment, charging lockers can combine secure storage with internal power provision.

The specification should consider:

• device size;
• charger size;
• number of devices;
• electrical provision;
• compartment access;
• maintenance;
• and where the charging lockers will be located.

Charging should be treated as an electrical storage requirement rather than simply adding sockets to an ordinary personal locker.

Workplace Locker Procurement: Specify Before Comparing Prices

For facilities managers and procurement teams, the strongest quotation comparison starts with a consistent specification.

Define:

• quantity of locker compartments;
• locker dimensions;
• tier configuration;
• material;
• lock type;
• colour or finish;
• numbering;
• stands, plinths or sloping tops;
• bench seating where required;
• delivery requirements;
• installation requirements;
• replacement-key requirements;
• master or override access;
• and expected future parts support.

Comparing quotations for materially different locker specifications can produce an apparently large price difference that is not a meaningful like-for-like comparison.

Do Not Buy Workplace Lockers on Price Alone

Purchase price is important, but it is only one element of the cost of operating a locker installation.

Consider:

• delivery;
• installation;
• replacement keys;
• replacement locks;
• master keys;
• electronic-lock batteries;
• software or licensing where applicable;
• replacement doors and components;
• maintenance labour;
• cleaning;
• and the cost of administrative work caused by the access system.

Whole-life value depends on whether the locker remains suitable for the workplace and whether replacement parts and support remain practical throughout its service life.

Replacement Parts Should Be Considered During Procurement

Commercial lockers can remain in use long enough for locks, keys and other components to require replacement.

Before specifying a large installation, consider future availability of:

• replacement keys;
• master keys;
• replacement locks;
• cams;
• hinges;
• coat hooks;
• number plates;
• doors where available;
• electronic lock components;
• and manufacturer-specific fittings.

Keeping a basic asset record of locker manufacturer, range, lock type and key series can make later servicing substantially easier.

Workplace Locker Maintenance

A simple inspection programme can identify developing problems before they become major repairs.

• Check doors for alignment.
• Check hinges.
• Check lock operation.
• Check loose retaining nuts and fittings.
• Inspect damaged or missing number plates.
• Replace damaged keys.
• Check benches and surrounding fittings.
• Replace electronic-lock batteries when required.
• Keep floors and surrounding areas accessible for cleaning.

For existing locker estates, see our Locker Parts and Servicing Guide.

Should Existing Workplace Lockers Be Repaired or Replaced?

A damaged lock does not necessarily mean the entire locker bank needs replacing.

Existing lockers may remain economical to retain where:

• cabinet bodies are sound;
• doors remain serviceable;
• hinges are in reasonable condition;
• replacement locks are available;
• the compartment sizes still suit staff;
• and the existing layout remains practical.

Replacement becomes more attractive where extensive corrosion, damaged doors, unsuitable dimensions or a major change in user requirements makes repair uneconomical.

Can Workplace Locker Locks Be Upgraded?

Often, yes. Existing lockers may be capable of accepting different keyed, combination, electronic or RFID locks if the door preparation and locking arrangement are compatible.

For detailed compatibility checks, use our Retrofit Locker Locks UK guide.

Phased Workplace Locker Upgrades

Large organisations do not necessarily need to replace every locker at the same time.

A phased approach can:

• replace the poorest locker banks first;
• test new lock systems;
• limit disruption;
• spread capital expenditure;
• identify user feedback;
• and allow the final specification to improve before later phases.

Common Workplace Locker Procurement Mistakes

• Buying on price before defining the requirement.
• Using total headcount without considering peak attendance.
• Choosing too many tiers for the items staff need to store.
• Ignoring coats, bags, PPE or boots.
• Assuming every employee needs the same locker.
• Ignoring assigned versus shared allocation.
• Choosing a material unsuitable for the environment.
• Selecting the lock without planning how it will be administered.
• Ignoring master and override access.
• Assuming smart lockers automatically reduce administration.
• Ignoring locker depth and door projection.
• Adding benches after locker positions have been finalised.
• Planning around average rather than peak use.
• Ignoring cleaning and maintenance access.
• Failing to check welfare and clothing-storage requirements relevant to the workplace.
• Ignoring replacement keys, locks and spare parts.
• Comparing quotations with different specifications as though they are equivalent.
• Assuming a generic service-life figure applies to every locker product and environment.

Workplace Locker Procurement Checklist

• Who will use the lockers?
• How many employees are present at peak times?
• Are lockers assigned or shared?
• Are contractors or visitors included?
• What needs to fit inside?
• Are coats stored?
• Are uniforms stored?
• Is PPE stored?
• Are boots or helmets stored?
• Are laptops or devices stored?
• Is charging required?
• What compartment size is needed?
• Which tier configuration works?
• What material suits the environment?
• What lock system suits the user pattern?
• Is master or override access required?
• How will lost keys or credentials be managed?
• Do work clothing and personal clothing require separation?
• Are changing facilities involved?
• Are benches required?
• How many people use the area during a shift change?
• How far do locker doors project when open?
• Is cleaning access adequate?
• Can lockers be delivered into the building?
• Is installation required?
• Are stands, plinths or sloping tops required?
• Will lockers be numbered?
• Are replacement keys available?
• Are replacement locks available?
• Are other spare parts available?
• What ongoing maintenance will be required?
• What is the whole-life cost rather than the purchase price alone?
• Is future expansion likely?

Step-by-Step Workplace Locker Specification Process

1. Identify the workplace and user groups.
2. List what each group needs to store.
3. Measure representative belongings.
4. Establish peak attendance.
5. Decide assigned or shared allocation.
6. Identify relevant clothing, welfare and PPE storage requirements.
7. Choose the compartment configuration.
8. Confirm internal dimensions.
9. Select the locker material.
10. Select the access system.
11. Define master and management access.
12. Measure the room.
13. Position locker banks.
14. Check locker depth and door swing.
15. Allow for staff standing in front of lockers.
16. Plan benches and changing activity.
17. Check shift-change congestion.
18. Plan cleaning and maintenance access.
19. Check delivery and installation routes.
20. Specify stands, plinths, sloping tops and numbering.
21. Check future key and lock availability.
22. Review replacement-part support.
23. Compare whole-life cost.
24. Allow appropriate reserve capacity.
25. Confirm the final specification before ordering.

Related Workplace Locker Guides

• Commercial Lockers – compare available locker ranges.
• Workplace Lockers for Office Fit-Outs – office and hybrid storage planning.
• Workplace Locker Sizes and Layouts – staff-area dimensions and placement.
• Workplace Changing Rooms – clothing, PPE, benches and staff changing arrangements.
• How Many Workplace Lockers Do You Need? – workplace capacity planning.
• Best Lock Options for Workplace Lockers – keyed, combination and electronic access.
• Locker Locking Systems – full lock selection guide.
• Retrofit Locker Locks UK – upgrading existing locker locks.
• Locker Parts and Servicing – maintenance and repair.
• Changing Room Bench Seating – workplace changing-room seating.

Workplace Lockers FAQs

Specify Workplace Lockers Around the People and the Work

The strongest workplace locker installation starts with the way employees actually work.

Define the belongings being stored, peak user numbers, assigned or shared allocation, clothing and PPE requirements, locker dimensions, material and access system before comparing individual products.

For procurement, compare the complete specification and whole-life support rather than purchase price alone. Replacement keys, locks, parts, maintenance and the organisation’s ability to manage the access system all affect long-term value.

Once the requirement is defined, browse our commercial locker range or contact Total Locker Service for help selecting a suitable workplace locker system.

Call 01284 749211 or email sales@totallocker.co.uk.