Construction site welfare facilities checklist

Construction sites can be tough and challenging places to work, with workers often facing a range of hazards and demanding conditions. It is therefore important for employers to provide suitable welfare facilities to ensure the wellbeing, health and safety of their workers. These construction site welfare facilities must be properly maintained, regularly inspected and meet the required standards. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the types of welfare facilities that must be available for workers on construction sites or on remote sites.

What welfare facilities are required on a construction site?

The necessity for site offices rarely comes into question for certain projects: construction and infrastructure projects in remote areas usually require an onsite hub for work to be coordinated. In these cases site offices may appear in different configurations: as meeting rooms for team coordination, as admin or personnel offices or a point for engineering or logistics work to be carried out from.

It's also common to see welfare cabins used as sales offices on housing estate construction projects, or as mobile showrooms for fairs and events. Temporary site offices can greatly benefit a project by providing:

1. We'll begin with the most basic welfare facility, the toilets. On any construction site, it is essential that workers have access to clean, well-maintained and hygienic toilets. These may come in the form of portable toilets or on-site facilities that are properly plumbed in. The number of toilets required will depend on the number of workers on the site and should always meet the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. The HSE recommends a minimum of one toilet for every seven workers, but additional facilities may be necessary based on the site's location, project duration and other factors.
2. The second construction site welfare facility on the checklist is handwashing facilities. Workers on construction sites come into contact with a range of hazardous materials, and it is important to ensure that they have access to proper handwashing facilities to prevent the spread of illness and disease. Handwashing facilities should include running water, soap and paper towels, and should be located near toilet facilities.
3. Next on the welfare checklist is the rest area. Workers on construction sites often have physically demanding jobs and it is important to provide them with a designated space to rest, eat and take a break. This rest area should include seating, tables and a covered area to protect workers from the elements. Additionally, it should be well ventilated and properly lit. The rest area should be positioned in a convenient location, away from any hazards and easily accessible to all workers.
4. The fourth facility is a drinking water supply. Workers on construction sites need access to clean, fresh water to stay hydrated throughout the day. Employers must provide an adequate supply of drinking water, which should be regularly replenished, and be easily accessible to all workers. Drinking water should be provided in clean, disposable cups, and the water source should be regularly tested to ensure its quality.
5. The fifth facility is the first aid room. Despite taking all necessary precautions, accidents can still happen on construction sites, so it is important to provide a designated first aid room. The first aid room should be equipped with basic first aid equipment such as bandages, antiseptics and other medical supplies. In addition, there should be a qualified first-aider present at all times, who is trained to respond to emergencies and injuries.
6. Lastly, we have the site office. The site office may vary in function, providing a range of administrative and management functions including site inductions, risk assessments and project planning. The site office should be located in a central position on the site, and be accessible to all workers.

What is a welfare unit?

Meeting all of these requirements on remote sites can be challenging, and has led to the development of the welfare unit as the go-to solution for mobile and versatile provision of construction site welfare facilities. Welfare units are self-contained cabins that can provide a range of welfare facilities including toilets, showers, changing rooms and rest areas. Welfare units are usually towable and can be easily transported to different locations. They can also be customised to meet the specific needs of a particular construction site.

Welfare facilities are essential on any construction site to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of workers. The above list is not exhaustive and, depending on the site's specific needs, additional welfare facilities may be required. Employers must ensure that all welfare facilities are properly maintained, inspected regularly and meet the required standards to ensure their workers' safety.

Why choose us for your site welfare facilities?

At Welfare 4 Hire, we understand the importance of providing high-quality welfare facilities for construction sites, and we offer a range of welfare cabin hire options that can be customised to meet your project's specific needs. Our welfare cabins are self-contained and come equipped with all the necessary amenities. Our welfare cabins are fully compliant with the HSE guidelines, and we pride ourselves on maintaining our units to the highest standards.

If you're looking for high-quality welfare cabin hire for your construction site, look no further than Welfare 4 Hire. Contact us today on 0333 433 0224 to discuss your requirements and find out how we can help you ensure the safety and wellbeing of your workers.