Welfare Facilities

&
Construction Work
(CDM 2007)
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)

When an Inspector paid a visit…

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)
Why is Welfare important?

• Prevents disease e.g. dermatitis

• Good Hygiene e.g. Weils’ disease, ingestion of

chemicals

• Promotes Well-being e.g. dry, warm place to eat

lunch, workers feel looked after
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)

• Latest HSE Guidance

published March
2010
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)

• Latest HSE Guidance

published March
2010

• Not radically different

to previous guidance
Welfare Facilities & Construction Work
(CDM 2007)

• Latest HSE Guidance

published March
2010

• Not radically different

to previous guidance

• Covers fixed and

transient construction
sites
Construction Sites

“Fixed”
one permanent location (e.g. large housebuild project, long
term work)
Construction Sites

“Transient”
short duration construction work (<1 week) at one or several
sites (e.g. emergency works, small-scale maintenance at
fixed premises)
AND
Longer duration construction work carried out whilst moving
over a continuous geographical area (e.g. major roadworks,
cable laying contracts etc.)
Construction Sites

Same requirements for welfare on transient

sites as fixed sites

BUT

Alters what is ‘reasonably practicable’ to

achieve
Latest Guidance from HSE
Construction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?
Latest Guidance from HSE
Construction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

• Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

Latest Guidance from HSE
Construction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

• Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

• Smoking Ban
Latest Guidance from HSE
Construction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

• Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

• Smoking Ban

• More specific e.g. number of toilet:worker ratios

Welfare facilities

What is required to comply with the law?

Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

• Clean and working toilets
Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

• Clean and working toilets
• Washbasins with hot and cold running
water, large enough to wash hands, face
and forearms
Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

• Clean and working toilets
• Washbasins with hot and cold running
water, large enough to wash hands, face
and forearms
• Soap and towels
Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

• Clean and working toilets
• Washbasins with hot and cold running
water, large enough to wash hands, face
and forearms
• Soap and towels
• Drinking water, and cups if needed
Welfare facilities

Provide on-site or nearby:

• Clean and working toilets
• Washbasins with hot and cold running
water, large enough to wash hands, face
and forearms
• Soap and towels
• Drinking water, and cups if needed
• Rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat
What facilities have to be
provided?
• Storage - somewhere to change, dry and
store clothing (should be secure)
• A rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat
food
• Keep your welfare facilities warm and well
ventilated, with lighting if necessary
What does this mean in reality?

Unacceptable:
Dirty and no
hot water
What does this mean in reality?

• Unacceptable:
sink too small to
wash forearms
in.
Completely unacceptable washing
facilities
Unacceptable toilets
 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.
Welfare – good standard
Problems: Fixed sites

• No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice

Problems: Fixed sites

• No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice

• No hot running water

(no water available or no means of heating
water)
Problems: Fixed sites

• No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice

• No hot running water

(no water available or no means of heating
water)

• Not clean/tidy
Solutions: Fixed sites

• Plan welfare provision in good time

Solutions: Fixed sites

• Plan welfare provision in good time

• Mains water or water tanks

Solutions: Fixed sites

• Plan welfare provision in good time

• Mains water or water tanks

• Electric water heater

(powered by mains or portable power supply)
Solutions: Fixed sites

• Plan welfare provision in good time

• Mains water or water tanks

• Electric water heater

(powered by mains or portable power supply)

• Regular cleaning (& monitoring)

Problems: Transient Sites

• No welfare » Improvement Notice

Problems: Transient Sites

• No welfare » Improvement Notice

• “Impractical…it’ll only take a day or so”

• “If I had to pay for welfare I wouldn’t be able to
make a living”
• “We’re in the middle of nowhere, it can’t be
done”
Solutions: Transient Sites

• Can existing welfare be used?

Solutions: Transient Sites

• Can existing welfare be used?

Consider:
• Existing facilities in construction area (refurb)
• Local Businesses (shops, restaurants, pubs – by prior
agreement)
• Public Toilets (as a last resort)
BUT
• Same standards as fixed sites
• No charge to workers to use facilities
Solutions: Transient Sites

• Can portable welfare be used?

Solutions: Transient Sites

• Can portable welfare be used?

Consider:
• Self-contained welfare units (towed trailers)
• Adapted vehicles (toilet, washing, rest, changing facilities)
• ‘Rough n ready’ washing facilities until decent welfare
available (esp. if using cement products)
Transient Site: Case Study

Problem:

• Laying concrete pad in remote field.

• No existing welfare available.

• Duration: Half Day

Transient Site: Case Study

Solution:

• 12v Hot water hand wash

• Collects waste water
• Powered by vehicle battery
• 2.5 litre capacity (10 washes?)
• Heats up in 15 mins
• C. £200
Who is responsible?

Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of

Project:
Who is responsible?

Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of

Project:

If Notifiable Project:

• Principal Contractor (CDM Reg 22 (1)(c))

• Client (CDM Reg 9 (1)(b))

• CDM Coordinator (CDM Reg 20 (1)(a))

Who is responsible?

Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of

Project:

If Notifiable Project:

• Principal Contractor (CDM Reg 22 (1)(c))

• Client (CDM Reg 9 (1)(b))

• CDM Coordinator (CDM Reg 20 (1)(a))

For every job that CDM Regs Apply:

• EVERY CONTRACTOR WITH WORKERS ON SITE

(CDM Reg 13 (7)
Welfare

• Required for duration of construction

project
• Clean, tidy & in working order
• Adequate supplies (toilet paper, towels)
• Would YOU use it?