Hi Guys A bit of advice please. Can someone give me a bit of guidance on acceptable distances to ask workers to walk to a toilet. We are working at the back of a factory installing a new gas plant. We have approx 15 - 20 people on site per day. The canteen and toilet facilities are approx a 6 minute walk away from the site which i felt was acceptable. What is your thoughts?

If it takes 6 minutes to walk 1 Km, thats 10Km an hour [or 6 miles/hour] Thats pretty fast walking! I'd suggest the distance walked is probably about half of that figure, or less

Obviously, I bow to your superior fitness [and knowledge]. Being retired, I only walk for about 90 minutes a day, and I must do it very slowly by your standards. Various websites [such as walking.about.com] give the following guidance for walking rates:- • Fast - 7 minutes/KM or 11 minutes/mile • Moderate.- 10 minutes/KM or 16 minutes/mile • Slow.- 12.5 minutes/km or 20 minutes per mile I would suggest that the Moderate, or possibly Slow, rates are the ones to use, when considering Construction Operatives – but, hey, that’s only my misguided opinion Off to walk the colliedoodle now.

I don't think there is a definitive answer. What do those that work for you think. At the end of the day if they consider it is too far, they will use the back of the building / wall / tree etc. Obviously not washing their hands afterwards.

Hi Schedule 2 of CDM (2015) states "1.— (1) Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences must be provided or made available at readily accessible places" So you would have to ask yourself if a Judge would consider a 6 minute walk to be readily accessible. Also it says places - so this may be interpreted as you should have more than one facility if need be. You should also consider this - if the workers need to walk 6 minutes to take a leak, is it not highly likely they will go on site rather than walk 6 minutes? Portaloo!