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Posted By cara
Hopefully a quick one...
I've looked at the Workplace H,S&W regs but couldn't find a conclusive answer!
Are we required to have separate washing up and toilet facilities? Currently staff preparing and eating food at their desks then doing their washing up in the toilets. I agree that this is not ideal nor hygienic – an option is to convert a vacant nearby room into a kitchen - is there a legal argument we can use to back this up?
Many thanks!
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Posted By Safe System
cara - just a side point as i'm not sure if your joking or not.......
preparing foods at their desks - where do you keep knifes, forks, toasters, microwaves etc...
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Posted By A Campbell Cara, This may be of help... http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdfAlthough some employers are happy for people to eat at their desks... they still must provide facilities for those who do not wish to!
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Posted By Ron Hunter
My own opinion: if the employer accepts and permits the use of cutlery, crockery etc, then then there follows an implied acceptance that washing facilities are 'necessary' (the ACoP is qualified here with the words "if necessary".
Of course, other options might be available.
It could well be that hot food facilities exist nearby and the employer could therefore preclude this in the workplace.
Equally, the employer could install a free or no-profit vending machine and do away with the need for mugs, spoons & kettles.
What I'm expressing here isn't a legal argument other than to the extent that logic should dictate that allowing one activity therefore makes the provision of an associated facility "necessary".
Hope this helps!
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Posted By alan noble
See post 'Washing Facilities' on 1.4.09.
Provided staff REGULARLY eat meals at work then you could refer to the ACOP to Reg. 25 'Facilities...to eat meals'of Welfare Regs.,specifically that"Good hygiene standards should be maintained in those parts of the facilities used for eating or preparing food and drink".
This as a minimum implies that the employer has to think about where and how they want staff to eat so should provide what is necessary for good hygiene.
Using wash hand basins in sanitary accomodation is poor hygiene practise and should be avoided. Even using a seperate basin would be preferable.
In your case it sounds as if you can provide more suitable facilities.
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Posted By cara
Unfortunately no I am not joking... this has only just been brought to my attention.
The actual preparation of food takes place at a station at one end of the room - this is not a big problem, the office is large and there is a shared canteen (with other businesses) available if staff wish to use it. They have stated that is is expensive.
The problem I feel is that staff are washing up their cups and plates etc in the toilets.
Also....staff have been provided with disposable cups and plates but are choosing not to use them and Drinking water is also provided.
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Posted By A Campbell
The likelihood is... you are obligated to provide.... not to ensure they use the facilities, although you may look at your own in house rules to enforce with HR assistance in discipline system?
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Posted By cara
So would you say we are not obliged to provide washing up facilities segregated from the toilet facilities? We are trying to build a case for a separate kitchen area.
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Posted By A Campbell
Cara,
I expect that would depend on how large the space is, how many people you need to cater for etc?
We have a kitchen prep area on our floor open office area with 40+ people.
In this area we have dedicated sink, hot water, microwave, kettle, cupboards for plates/mugs etc.
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Posted By Peter F
The company only have to provide a facility, i.e. you have stated that there is a canteen. This is all they need to provide, as long as the canteen can be used by employees who do not wish to buy anything.
We have a staff facility, that also allows staff to make drinks, warm food etc. or they can purchase a meal.
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