3. Toilets and washing facilities
Employers have to provide facilities suitable for any worker, including those with disabilities, which includes:
- enough toilets and washbasins for those expected to use them – find out how many
- agreed reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities, for example, a worker with prostate cancer
- separate facilities for men and women, except where each toilet is in a separate room lockable from the inside
- for female workers, somewhere to dispose of sanitary dressings
- clean facilities – preferably with walls and floors tiled (or covered in suitable waterproof material) to make them easier to clean
- a supply of toilet paper
- facilities that are well lit and ventilated
- hot and cold, or warm, running water
- enough soap or other washing agents
- a basin large enough to wash hands, and forearms if necessary
- a way of drying hands, such as paper towels or a hot-air dryer
- showers where necessary, for particularly dirty work
How many toilets and washbasins?
The following tables show the minimum number of toilets and washbasins that you should provide.
Number of toilets and washbasins for mixed use (or women only)
| Number of people at work | Number of toilets | Number of washbasins |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 1 | 1 |
| 6-25 | 2 | 2 |
| 26-50 | 3 | 3 |
| 51-75 | 4 | 4 |
| 76-100 | 5 | 5 |
Toilets used by men only
| Number of people at work | Number of toilets | Number of urinals |
|---|---|---|
| 1-15 | 1 | 1 |
| 16-30 | 2 | 1 |
| 31-45 | 2 | 2 |
| 46-60 | 3 | 2 |
| 61-75 | 3 | 3 |
| 76-90 | 4 | 3 |
| 91-100 | 4 | 4 |
Temporary worksites
You must provide flushing toilets and running water, for example with a portable toilet. If this is not possible, use alternatives such as chemical toilets and water containers.
Using public toilets and washing facilities should be a last resort and not because they are a cheaper option. This would not be acceptable if it is possible to provide facilities on-site.