Navigating the requirements for construction site welfare facilities

A guide to compliance in mobile welfare unit hire

When hiring welfare units for construction sites or other temporary work areas, it's absolutely essential to follow regulations that ensure the health and well-being of workers.

This guide will cover the key construction site regulations regarding welfare facilities that you need to know about.

What welfare facilities must an employer provide?

• Toilets

  Enough toilets must be available on-site for staff and visitors. According to HSE guidelines, the accepted ratio is one toilet to every seven people on site, based on a forty-hour working week. If you are expecting a larger amount of people to visit the site or work is carried out in shifts, you will need to increase the number of toilets accordingly.

  It is important that the toilets you provide are functioning and reliable, plumbed in flushing toilets are the first solution, however high-quality mobile welfare units with built-in water systems and drainage tanks are also an excellent option. It is much harder to maintain acceptable hygiene standards in chemical portable toilets, so these should only be considered as a last resort.

  Toilets can be unisex provided that they are in individual, lockable cubicles and separate from urinals. Any toilets used by women have sanitary bins provided.

• Washing facilities

  Washing facilities, including sinks and showers, need to be near the toilets and should have clean hot and cold running water, soap and towels or hand dryers. There should be enough of these facilities so everyone can use them easily.

  To make sure washing facilities are effective, plumbing should be checked regularly to prevent leaks, and mirrors and hooks for personal items are recommended.

  Showers should be lockable so both men and women can make use of the facilities.

• Heating

  Welfare unit facilities and rest areas should be adequately heated, especially during the winter months. Heating systems should be checked and maintained. It is best to choose systems designed to operate safely in confined spaces.

• Ventilation

  Good ventilation is crucial to maintain air quality inside welfare units. Proper ventilation helps reduce humidity, remove unpleasant odours and keep the air fresh. This is important for areas such as toilets, changing rooms and rest areas. Ventilation systems should be regularly checked and cleaned to keep them functioning effectively.

• Drinking water

  Employers must provide clean drinking water for workers at all times. The water should be easy to access and free from contamination. Water containers should be clearly marked and cleaned regularly.

• Drying clothes

  Space should be provided for workers to dry wet and dirty clothes on site, keeping them comfortable and reducing the risk of illness developing. Good ventilation is crucial.

• Changing rooms

  Provide private spaces for workers to change into clean, dry clothes. This area should have lockable doors and be well-heated. Hooks and benches are helpful additions.

• Rest areas

  Workers need a designated place to rest and eat that is separate from work areas to avoid contamination. These areas should provide shelter from bad weather, have seating and tables, and include facilities to heat food and boil water for drinks.

  To create a comfortable rest and eating area, provide microwaves, kettles and fridges. Keep the area clean, and make sure there’s enough seating.

• Storage

  Adequate storage must be available for workers to store their personal belongings and change of clothes. Ideally, this should be lockable, and each worker should have their own space.

Looking to hire a welfare unit?

Here at Welfare 4 Hire, we proudly supply high quality welfare units to sites across the country. All of our mobile facilities meet required regulations and will provide the ideal welfare spaces for your workers.

We stock a range of fantastic units and are bound to have a model to meet your requirements. Our range includes units with break room spaces, office spaces and toilets, spanning from 6 person to 16 person facilities.

With depots around the country, we can deliver your welfare units directly to your site. We also provide products such as soap and toilet roll so you can use them right away, see our Value Added product range for more information.

Get In Touch

Don't hesitate to contact our helpful team to discuss how we can provide welfare units that will enable you to fulfil your requirements.

London Depot: 0333 433 0224
Midlands Depot: 0121 272 7766
North West Depot: 0161 507 3700
Gloucester Depot: 01452 689 500
North East Depot: 0191 486 2576

Email us on: hire@welfare4hire.co.uk

Or submit an enquiry through our enquiry bot or form on our homepage.