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Welfare Facilities - Number of Toilets and wash Basins
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I'm looking to ascertain the exact number of toilets and wash basins that are required for a UK construction site, I've looked at various HSE publications and legislation but I can't seem to locate a definitive calculation or ratio that I can use to determine the number of toilets and wash basins required for a site that has between 80 and 100 operatives?
any help/advice on this would be very much appreciated
Martin
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Forum user 
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See the HSE page
How many toilets are needed?
Information on how many toilets should a workplace have is available online.
If using portable chemical toilets you need 1 for every 7 people working a 40 hour week.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-welfare.htm
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Rank: Forum user
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would these be applicable? these regs state 'The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces (except those involving construction work on construction sites, those in or on a ship, or
those below ground at a mine)'
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Rank: Forum user
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Racer wrote:See the HSE page
How many toilets are needed?
Information on how many toilets should a workplace have is available online.
If using portable chemical toilets you need 1 for every 7 people working a 40 hour week.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-welfare.htm
the site we are operating on has four toilets (run from mains supply) but only two basins. When I click on the link you listed there is another link http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm this then takes me to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which states it doesn't cover construction sites.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The number of toilets and hand wash basins you will need to meet the real needs of your workforce will depend to a very considerable extent on the pattern of usage. If you have a situation where usage is intermittent over the day then this may require fewer than a situation where there is heavy usage by a large number of people at particular times, e.g. break, change of shift. I always think it is a bit like the supermarket checkout! If a survey indicates people have to wait to wash their hands then personal hygiene will suffer. Having to queue to use the toilet will also cause frustration, particularly if they are keen to get to lunch!
So consider what the real needs of your workforce is likely to be and provide the appropriate facilities.
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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chris.packham wrote:The number of toilets and hand wash basins you will need to meet the real needs of your workforce will depend to a very considerable extent on the pattern of usage. If you have a situation where usage is intermittent over the day then this may require fewer than a situation where there is heavy usage by a large number of people at particular times, e.g. break, change of shift. I always think it is a bit like the supermarket checkout! If a survey indicates people have to wait to wash their hands then personal hygiene will suffer. Having to queue to use the toilet will also cause frustration, particularly if they are keen to get to lunch!
So consider what the real needs of your workforce is likely to be and provide the appropriate facilities.
Chris
I totally agree Chris, the number should be dependent on the expected usage but this is not made clear by the HSE.
On the site we are working on there are between 80 and 100 contractors, the main contractor has provided four toilets and two wash basins, in my opinion that's not enough. Given that the HSE haven't detailed a minimum requirement or ratio that needs to be met I can ask the main contractor responsible for the site how/why they came up with four toilets and two wash basins?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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CIS59 (free from HSE) looks to be the definitive, although CDM references are out-of-date.
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Rank: Forum user
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Ron Hunter wrote:CIS59 (free from HSE) looks to be the definitive, although CDM references are out-of-date.
CIS59 States the following;
Provide an adequate number of toilets. The number needed will depend on the number of workers on site and the type of facilities provided. Portable toilets have a limited capacity and will need emptying. The number of portable toilets needed depends on the number of persons and the frequency of emptying. BS6465–1:2006 recommends a ratio of 1 toilet to 7 persons where portable toilets are emptied once a week.
the ratio given relates to portable toilets but on the site we are working on the toilets are connected to the mains. So there isn't a figure or ratio, just there should be an 'adequate number of toilets' and this number will be dependent on the site/numbers
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Rank: Super forum user
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Martin
Ask yourself (and the main provider) what would happen if just half the contractor's workforce stopped at the same time and all wanted to use the facilities. Would two wash basins and four toilets what would happen!
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'm sure/hope someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the main contractor was responsible for providing welfare facilities for their own people and you as a sub contractor were responsible for providing for your people. Unless agreed differently by contract ? Within this I assume you are a sub contract company not directly paid labour.
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Rank: Forum user
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Originally Posted by: Martin#1 
I totally agree Chris, the number should be dependent on the expected usage but this is not made clear by the HSE.
On the site we are working on there are between 80 and 100 contractors, the main contractor has provided four toilets and two wash basins, in my opinion that's not enough. Given that the HSE haven't detailed a minimum requirement or ratio that needs to be met I can ask the main contractor responsible for the site how/why they came up with four toilets and two wash basins?
I would raise your concerns with the Main Contractor that the welfare is not sufficient in number. Although the welfare regs do exclude construction, the HSe website links this page: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm from their construction FAQs, when auditing these are the figures I always work to and advise on. If you get nowehere with the Principal Contractor, perhaps try with the Client for the works and make them aware that they have failed to ensure the PC has provided suitable and sufficient welfare
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Rank: Forum user
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Yet again this is another example of poor client T&C's in the begining. Additionally its what is happening on site, different genders and what people come into contact with, inclusive of vaping & smoking; that must be factored into the risk assessment to ID welfare needs as it's not just numbers employed
And U cannnot seriously rely on the HSE for anything to support your case
best of luck
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Rank: Super forum user 
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So far as is reasonably practicable you need to provide flushing toilets and running water, connected to mains water and drainage systems. If this is not possible, facilities with a built-in water supply and drainage tanks should be used. Portable chemical toilets are acceptable only if it is not reasonably practicable to make other adequate provision.
The number needed will depend on the number of workers on site and the type of facilities provided. Portable toilets have a limited capacity and will need emptying. The number of portable toilets needed depends on the number of persons and the frequency of emptying. BS6465– 1:2006 recommends a ratio of 1 toilet to 7 persons where portable toilets are emptied once a week.
Men and women may use the same toilet, if it is in a lockable room and partitioned from any urinals. Otherwise provide separate toilets. Adequate supplies of toilet paper should always be available. Sanitary waste disposal should be provided in facilities used by female workers.
From British Standard 6465-1:2006 Sanitary Installations. You will see for 100 Male workers you will need 4 WC's , 4 Urinals and 4 wash basins
For felmales working on site you will need 1 wc and 1 washbasin for each 5 women http://www.washroomcubicles.co.uk/how-many-toilets-do-you-need/
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Thanks for this amazing I really loved this guide. I can say automatic soap dispenser for our company will be perfect during this covid time.
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I can say your post breaching forum rules - Reported
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 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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I can say your post breaching forum rules - Reported
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Welfare Facilities - Number of Toilets and wash Basins
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