Rank: Forum user 
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Not sure if anyone has come across something similar, but looking for advice or solutions to a potential issue I've come across with my employer. We have just won an Operation and Maintenace contract on some renewable energy sites. In terms of activity and the operation, this is fairly minimum and remote, as with some reactive tasks will fall under maintenance, this will be CDM applicable under the regulations. the majority of these maintenance works will be minor...fence repairs, painting, etc. The sites are remote and works will be only for a few hours at a time as and when they occur. Without permanent welfare facilities being installed, how can we fulfil regulatory duties? It doesn't seem reasonable to deliver a portable toilet and portable welfare to a site when the works are so minor. Is it acceptable to use nearby public facilities and state this in the CPP's and job packs? Any advice would be welcome.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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If these are remote sites reliance upon public conveniences is not suitable welfare provision (quite a lot of debate about "reasonable" walking distance on actual construction sites in several forum posts). You either need to go down the route of a welfare van or welfare trailer which I am presuming neither option was costed in your bid.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If these are remote sites reliance upon public conveniences is not suitable welfare provision (quite a lot of debate about "reasonable" walking distance on actual construction sites in several forum posts). You either need to go down the route of a welfare van or welfare trailer which I am presuming neither option was costed in your bid.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If the sites are remote, isolated upland sites, with no established access... Where a landrover cannot safely go... Where even a small ATV or argocat struggles.... Then the suggestion of welfare vans etc is clearly impractical. A supply of disinfectant wipes, a roll of loo paper and a supply of suitable bags to remove solid waste may be the best that is practicable... Used to be a folding spade rather than a bag, but we've all become more environmentally friendly and the bags are lighter. For comfort and convenience cardboard boxes are available which provide a frame to hold the bags open, but don't sit on them, they won't take the weight!
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Both, I'm not entirely sure what has been costs for in all honesty. As far as remote, they are generally farm or foresty land built on and accessible by 4x4. I'm aware of the welfare trailer option. It was more of, if anyone had a portable solution which was easier than buying / renting a trailer, most jobs looking at programme will be just a few hours for 2 people.
Thanks again, G
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Rank: Super forum user
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Argos used to do a camp toilet tent type thing. A plastic loo like a cool box thing with cat litter and disinfectant... And a supply of wipes. The tents take five minutes to put up and take down. The box needs to be at the crack of the van....
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Railway workers have welfare vans like small camper vans that have a built in toilet and seating area / food prep area, something like that might be the answer
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Rank: Forum user
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We have maintenance contractors visit our sites to undertake similar tasks in similar locations to the ones you have described.
As a client under CDM we must ensure that our contractors have arrangements to provide adequate welfare facilities for construction workers and visitors (this does not mean that we have to provide the facilities ourselves). Legally if the work is construction then we must ensure that any construction work does not start until suitable welfare facilities are in place.
‘So far as is reasonably practicable’ our contractors need to provide flushing toilets and running water (portable cabins converted into toilet facilities). If this is not possible, we consider alternatives such as chemical toilets and welfare vans. The use of public toilets and washing facilities should be a last resort and not used just because they are the cheaper option. This would not be acceptable where the provision of better facilities would be reasonably practicable. In such cases, we/contractor would make arrangements to use facilities provided by the owner of existing premises, in which the work is being done, local public facilities or the facilities of local businesses. Clear agreement should be made with the provider of the facilities and confirmed in writing (e.g. email confirmation); it should not be assumed that local commercial premises can be used without their agreement.
In all cases the standards above must be provided or made available. Facilities must be readily accessible to the worksite, open at all relevant times, be at no cost to the workers, be of an acceptable standard in terms of cleanliness and have hand-washing facilities. Workers need to be made aware of the arrangements to use them and be informed of their location.
We have developed a guidance which our contractors sign up to which goes through the options in order preference e.g. more than one week = fixed installation etc. We base our decisions on a risk assessment approach including cost, location and duration of works. For the examples you have given generally our contractors will provide a suitably equipped welfare van.
I hope this helps.
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 1 user thanked Woolf13 for this useful post.
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