Posted By MT You are right, in that it would be unacceptable if there was no access to sanitary facilities. Is there a neighbouring business who could give you permission to use theirs, or will their water also be cut off? As you say, the drinking water problem is fairly easily solved with bottled water, but you must provide working toilets.

Posted By David J Jones You must also be able to provide warm, not necessarily hot, water for staff to wash their hands. It could be argued as a temporary measure to boil/heat (bottled) water using a kettle then mix with cold for hand washing, but IMHO that's not a particularly sparkling idea.

Posted By Brenda H Belinda, this is what is being proposed, porta loo's and bacterial wipes. But I can imagine the response to having to go outside to the carpark to go to the loo!

Posted By Tabs "But I can imagine the response to having to go outside to the carpark to go to the loo!" ??? Well, they have a choice. Who is so pampered that they can't put up with that for a day? I would suggest that solution is perfectly reasonable given the extraordinary circumstances. If they go to a public event such as a County Show, or Music in the Park, they would use the portaloo wouldn't they? Anyone too delicate to do so might have to stay away for the day (without pay, bah humbug!) The costs would depend on the contract you have with the water company - one for others. I would prefer soap and cold water, followed by anti-bac wipes if I had the choice ... wipes don't always cut it in my opinion.

Posted By Chris Packham Tabs Why soap and water followed by anti-bacterial wipes? Unless you are in an extremely sensitive situation (e.g. ICU, Operating Theatre) soap and water, even if cold, is all that is required. Anti-bacterial wipes should generally only be used where soap and water is not available and where hands are not visibly soiled with organic matter. Chris

Posted By Crim Hi Beth, Apart from the requirements in CDM 07 now, just what facilities would you like to have if you were working outside for 7 days or so?

Posted By Tony Priest Hi there Brenda, Most local water by-laws states that buildings must have at least 24Hr water storage. Therefore your building should have a stored water supply so that you can use sanitary convenience etc, in the event of an emergency or scheduled supply cut.

Posted By Ian_P Hi, I know it's probably too late but here's my tuppence worth. We had a similar situation at one of our depots recently where all water supplies were cut off for a day. At first there was the usual "can't do that - health and safety!" but the more you think about it, it's perfectly reasonable that there is going to be occasional disruptions to normal 'service' for essential repair and maintenance work. It's just something we need to cope with as managers, and humans! Washing and drinking facilities weren't a problem but toilets were. We spoke to the water board who told us that they have the right to cut water supplies off for certain time periods (I think it is 24 hours). They don't need to provide portaloos and you have no chance of getting reimbursed for your expenses during this period. (N.B. as correctly mentioned by previous poster this is different for health critical industries). To get round it we simply had a word with a neighbouring premises who allowed us to use their toilet facilities. Pairing up with a neighbouring site is a good idea for many reasons and now this 'agreement' forms part of our, and their, business continuity plans.