Everyone who works on a construction site must have access to toilets and facilities for washing, changing, eating and rest. This page gives an overview of what you must do. Answers to other common questions can be found in the FAQs.
Who
Contractors are required to provide welfare facilities and clients must ensure this happens. Decisions and action on this need to be taken at an early stage of project planning.
- Commercial clients – you must make sure contractors have arrangements for providing the right welfare. This applies to all construction work.
- Contractors – you must provide the right welfare for workers under your control while they are on site. Principal Contractors must ensure that this is done from the start of the project until it finishes.
Clients should co-operate with contractors and help them in situations where providing welfare facilities are difficult.
What
Schedule 2 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) lists the welfare facilities that should be in place at any site. This includes:
The type and number of facilities you need depends on the size and type of work. You may need additional facilities (such as showers) to control the risks from hazardous substances like cement, lead or micro-organisms. Also, remember that separate facilities may be needed for men and women.
Where
Consider the positioning of your facilities before starting on site. This will depend on the work you are doing. For fixed sites think about:
- whether they will have to be moved during the project
- access for cleaning and maintenance
- encouraging the use of washing facilities by positioning them near to rest / eating areas
- the distance from the furthest part of the site to the nearest facilities and how long it takes someone to get there (either walking or by vehicle). This time should be as short as possible. You may need additional toilets and washing facilities for workers in more remote parts of larger sites
- arrangements for using any existing facilities. You can use those in a local café, public toilets or an occupied building. However, you need to make sure:
- you have proper agreement with the owner allowing their use (not necessarily in writing)
- they are available all the time that workers are on site
- there are measures for keeping them clean and replacing towels, soap, toilet paper etc
Temporary sites, like highway utility or repair work, and workers in remote areas, such as fields, require good welfare too. Where you put your welfare for this type of work depends on a number of factors such as how long the work will take, the distance from other available facilities and whether there will be any hazardous substances present. Options include:
- Central compound – workers should be able to access this easily and quickly. Take into account any likely delays due to traffic / distance. You may need 'satellite' compounds for more remote workers.
- Mobile units – a number of different self-contained welfare units are available. Remember when selecting these that they still have to meet certain minimum standards regarding toilets / washing and changing, eating and rest areas.
Why
Welfare is a fundamental and basic necessity for workers. It is also is required by law. Providing the right welfare sets the tone for a project and demonstrates a commitment to meeting workers' needs.
Welfare facilities form an important control measure in their own right as well. They help protect workers against the risks from hazardous substances such as cement, lead or micro-organisms.