You may remember in one of our last blog posts we began discussing TUC and their efforts in ensuring better welfare facilities for workers up and down the country. Well, today we’re going to be heading over to that topic once again, only this time we’re looking at what the law actually states and how a union representative can help.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it states that employers MUST ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees when at work. It states they must also provide adequate facilities and arrangements too for their welfare needs. In addition to this, they must also provide what’s considered suitable and sufficient, sanitary facilities as well as washing facilities in accessible places. There are also minimum number guidelines that must be adhered to. While providing such facilities, an employer must ensure they remain clean and adequately ventilated as well as lit. Hot and cold running water needs to be provided along with soap and towels or some other method of drying ones hands etc. There must also be separate facilities for men and women unless these facilities are in separate rooms of each other.
In order to get things going, TUC is currently running a campaign calling for action from Health and Safety Execs and such enforcers to make sure that employers now comply with all health and safety laws. These are in relation to the welfare of employees at work and in particular, toilet provisions. In most recent years, the HSE has actually taken enforcement against a great deal of employers subsequently leading to much better toilets and facilities. TUC have openly declared that they want to see very basic hygiene standards, across the board, adhered to in each and every workplace. This will in turn help prevent the spread of germs of bacteria. Unfortunately it’s this that employers don’t seem to realise will benefit them as it could lead to reduced sickness and absence from work. TUC have also expressed a desire to see those without a fixed indoor work base to have access to welfare and toilet facilities regardless. On top of this, there’s the obvious need for employers to be able to legally use the toilet during their working hours without fears of harassment or deductions in their wages after all, using the toilet is a basic human right.
If you’re an employer and find yourself in the position of providing little to no toilet and welfare facilities for your employees, don’t worry, it can actually be rectified quite easily. While some may believe that fixing a situation like this could cost thousands and take a certain amount of time, here at euroloo, we can tell you that’s not the case at all. Thankfully, with our large fleet of portable toilets and welfare units, you can have the necessary facilities in place within a matter of hours keeping your company on the right side of the law and your employees a clean and hygienic environment. For more information, contact our team of experts who’ll be only too happy to help with any of your inquiries.
