Welfare facilities are necessary to protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace, but how do you know what you need? in the blog we will look at what you need to ensure the comfort and welfare of your team..
First the LEGAL stuff
The Approved Code of Practice of the Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992
These regulations 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).
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
All contractors have a duty under the CDM regulation 15 that suitable welfare facilities are provided for their employees and sub-contractors, as follows: A contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the requirements of Schedule 2 are complied with so far as they affect the contractor or any worker under that contractor’s control.
The requirements for the welfare facilities are contained within Schedule 2 of the CDM regulations, for: Sanitary conveniences Washing facilities Drinking water Changing rooms and lockers Facilities for rest
Did you know delivery drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work?
Sanitary Conveniences Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be provided at readily accessible places. They and the rooms containing them should be kept clean and be adequately ventilated and lit. Washing facilities should have running hot and cold or warm water, soap and clean towels or other means of cleaning or drying. If required by the type of work, showers should also be provided. Men and women should have separate facilities unless each facility is in a separate room with a lockable door and is for use by only one person at a time.
Drinking-Water An adequate supply of high-quality drinking water, with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided.
Water should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply. The containers should be refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling). Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water.
Changing Rooms and Lockers Suitable and sufficient changing rooms shall be provided or made available at readily accessible places if: A worker has to wear special clothing for the purposes of their work; They cannot, for reasons of health or propriety, be expected to change elsewhere, being separate rooms for, or separate use of rooms by, men and women where necessary for reasons of propriety.
Changing rooms shall: Be provided with seating; Include, where necessary, facilities to enable a person to dry any such special clothing and their own clothing and personal effects. Suitable and sufficient facilities shall, where necessary, be provided or made available at readily accessible places to enable persons to lock away: Any such special clothing which is not taken home; Their own clothing which is not worn during working hours; Their personal effects.
Facilities for rest and eating meals Suitable and sufficient, readily accessible rest facilities should be provided. Seats should be provided for workers to use during breaks. Rest areas or rooms should be large enough and have sufficient seats with backrests and tables for the number of workers likely to use them at any one time, including suitable access and seating which is adequate for the number of disabled people at work. Where provided, eating facilities should include a facility for preparing or obtaining a hot drink. Where hot food cannot be obtained in or reasonably near to the workplace, workers may need to be provided with a means for heating their own food (eg microwave oven). Suitable rest facilities should be provided for pregnant women and nursing mothers. From 1 July 2007, it has been against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England, including most work vehicles.
Taking Appropriate Breaks During the Day
One important benefit of these welfare facilities is that they allow workers to relax in the middle of their workdays, offering them an opportunity to rest and recuperate before getting back on the job.
Could there be blurred lines over whether it’s ‘work’ time or ‘rest’ time.
Reduces Loneliness
For a long time, loneliness had been largely ignored, even by people who were concerned about the health, safety, and welfare of employees. But recently, it has been noted to be among the biggest problems facing adults in the construction industry. The issue significantly contributes to mental health issues among employees.
There are no simple solutions to get rid of loneliness but offering avenues for socialisation can significantly help the situation. A good way of fostering communication among employees is by providing them with communal welfare facilities. Although communication will not eliminate loneliness in people with mental health issues, it will significantly help the situation as they will be able to talk about their issues. This way, you will be able to improve well-being productivity and happiness at work.
Source: Welfare4hire.co.uk
