Health and Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive

Welfare facilities on small

construction sites

Presenters name in Arial regular 32pt

Who has to provide the facilities?

• Contractors (including the self-employed)

• In all cases you should ensure that there are adequate welfare facilities for workers under your control.

What facilities have to be provided?

• Clean and working toilets

• Washbasins with hot and cold (or warm) running water

• Soap and towels

• Sinks large enough to wash face, hands and forearms

What facilities have to be provided?

• Storage - somewhere to change, dry and store clothing

• Drinking water and cups provided

• A rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat food

• Keep your welfare facilities warm and well ventilated, with lighting if necessary

Washbasins with hot and cold (or warm) running water

What does this mean in reality?

Unacceptable: Dirty and no hot water

• Unacceptable: sink too small to wash forearms in.

Completely unacceptable washing facilities

Unacceptable toilets

Not maintained or cleaned

A rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat food in? No

Almost there!

• If this mess room had been kept clean and tidy (and had a means to warm food) then this would have been OK.

Summary

• Plan welfare in advance of work starting

• Make sure that workers have:– Drinking water– Toilets– Washing facilities– Somewhere to eat– Somewhere to change their clothes