In accordance with information provided by the Health and Safety Executive, all employees, regardless of the industry that they work in, must have access to basic static welfare unit facilities. As a result of the incredibly rigorous nature of the construction industry and the exposure that construction workers face to all extremes of weather, there are some additional regulations that are in place that must be followed in order to protect these workers.
Not only are these facilities a legal requirement, but they are also a control measure that protects workers against the risks posed by a number of hazardous substances, including cement. Rest areas also offer shelter and a space to rest and recharge whilst reducing the risks of those accidents that can occur as a result of impaired decision-making due to fatigue.
In order to help ensure the health and safety of construction workers, adequate and appropriate welfare units must be provided on the site. The Health and Safety Executive requires the following welfare facilities to be provided.
Toilets
Toilets should be provided in an accessible spot of the construction site. They should have adequate lighting and ventilation and working flushes. Where the latter is not possible, they must have a built-in water supply, drainage tanks and, of course, toilet paper. It is important to provide enough toilets for your workers. The regulations recommend 1 toilet for every 7 workers when these are emptied once a week. Where possible, male and female toilets should be provided, but if this isn’t possible due to space issues, the individual cubicles should have doors that lock.
Washing facilities
These should be placed near to any toilet facilities and also your changing areas where possible, otherwise they need to be placed near rest areas. It is important to make sure that they have running water (both hot and cold), soap, towels or some form of hand drying equipment, appropriate ventilation and light. In addition, it must have sinks that are large enough to wash faces, hands and forearms. In some cases, they might also need showers.
Drinking water
A ready and abundant supply of drinking water should be provided on site from a main supply. Where this is not possible, bottled or stored water can be used which should be changed frequently. Drinking water should be marked clearly to avoid it being confused with any hazardous substances.
Changing rooms and lockers
Changing rooms must also be provided and located next to any washing and showering facilities, again with separate male and female units. Lockers are needed for storage and to keep valuables safe. These can be placed in your site office or on smaller sites in vans as long as they are secure. Protective site clothing which may contaminate other garments should be stored separately.
Facilities for eating and rest
Rest facilities are important for providing shelter against wind and strong rain. There should be a heating system and the appropriate number of tables and chairs. There should also be facilities like a kettle and a microwave for heating drinks and warming food.
This area should not be used for storing other items.
Conclusion
It is not just enough to simply provide the appropriate welfare facilities; they need to be easily accessible, so it is important to plan out their location on your building site as well. Ensuring that you have provided enough space within your welfare facilities to cater to your full number of construction workers is also essential, so this should be taken into account when deciding what you need to hire.
