HSE gets Hot over Hot Water Handwash

The Health and Safety Executive recently asked Site-Equip to attend their head office in Basingstoke regarding the provision of welfare facilities on site.

The meeting was attended by HSE offices from all over the UK and Northern Ireland. The aim of the meeting was to show the HSE officers the types of toilet and welfare facilities available to hire to the Construction Industry.

The Managing Director of Site Equip, Geoff Gilbert, took a welfare unit to show the standard that could be achieved and the scope of products available on the market, which can be hired. The HSE approved the welfare unit as fully compliant with all aspects of health and safety. The HSE are now looking for compliance with their own guidelines on sites. Inspectors will issue an improvement notice if the guidelines are not met. Furthermore, failing to provide facilities within the given timescale will result in prosecution and a hefty fine.

A construction site should provide:

• Clean and working toilets
• Washbasins with hot and cold running water
• Soap and towels
• Sinks large enough to wash face, hands and forearms
• Somewhere to change dry and store clothing
• Drinking water and cups if needed
• A rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat food

You must also keep your welfare facilities warm and well ventilated, with lighting if necessary.