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 transientsites as fixed sites

BUT

Alters what is ‘reasonably practicable’ toachieve

Latest Guidance from HSEConstruction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

Latest Guidance from HSEConstruction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

• Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

Latest Guidance from HSEConstruction Information Sheet No. 59

What’s new?

• Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

• Smoking Ban

Latest Guidance from HSEConstruction 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 ofProject:

Who is responsible?

Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration ofProject:

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 ofProject:

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?