Every business premises needs toilets that are suitable for the number of people using them – but many companies still underestimate what “sufficient” actually means under UK welfare law. Whether you run an office, a warehouse, or a busy logistics yard, the Health and Safety (Welfare) Regulations 1992 set clear expectations on toilet provision for staff, visitors, and even delivery drivers.
This guide explains the UK rules, the recommended ratios, and how to stay compliant using euroloo’s portable toilet hire or ecowelfare solar-powered welfare pods – practical solutions that cost far less than most businesses realise.
Why Toilet Provision Matters
Legal Compliance
The regulations require every workplace to provide “suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences.” What counts as suitable depends on how many people work or visit the site, the nature of the work, and whether men and women are separate or share facilities. Failure to comply can result in enforcement notices or reputational damage.
Hygiene and Morale
Too few toilets cause queues, poor hygiene, and low morale. This can have a real impact on productivity and staff retention – especially in sectors like warehousing and logistics where working conditions are under close scrutiny.
Driver and Visitor Welfare
Under HSE guidance, visiting drivers and contractors are also classed as “at work” while on your site. That means they should be allowed access to toilets or provided with suitable alternatives. Many businesses now provide dedicated outdoor portable toilets for visitors and drivers to avoid overcrowding internal staff facilities.
How Many Toilets Do You Need?
There’s no single number for every business – but the HSE provides ratios based on workforce size and occupancy. These apply to permanent staff, and you should increase provision if you also host regular visitors or delivery drivers.
Recommended Minimum Ratios
- 1–5 employees: 1 toilet and 1 washbasin
- 6–25 employees: 2 toilets and 2 washbasins
- 26–50 employees: 3 toilets and 3 washbasins
- 51–75 employees: 4 toilets and 4 washbasins
- 76–100 employees: 5 toilets and 5 washbasins
For mixed-use or customer-facing sites, always round up. For distribution yards or large outdoor premises, add at least one additional portable unit per 10–15 visiting drivers or contractors.
Source: HSE – Welfare at work
Simple Ways to Stay Compliant
1. Add Portable Toilets for Overflow and Visitors
If your existing facilities are stretched, portable toilets are the quickest way to stay compliant. euroloo supplies modern, self-contained units that arrive ready to use and are serviced weekly by in-house teams. A pair of standard units costs around £70 per week — ideal for busy depots, open storage yards, or driver welfare bays.
2. Upgrade to Solar-Powered Welfare Pods
For larger or higher-profile sites, ecowelfare pods provide 4–6 toilets with sinks, heating and lighting, powered entirely by solar energy. They’re fully off-grid and maintenance-free for the user, offering a sustainable, premium welfare option for around £300 per week.
3. Extend Provision to Drivers and Contractors
Providing a toilet at or near your delivery area or gatehouse reduces downtime, prevents complaints, and keeps visiting contractors on site. It’s a low-cost, high-impact way to protect your business reputation and meet your legal obligations.
Example Setup by Site Type
- Small office or workshop: 1–2 toilets, plus 1 portable overflow unit during busy periods.
- Warehouse or distribution yard: 3+ toilets indoors, plus 2 portable units or an ecowelfare pod outdoors for drivers.
- Remote or open storage compound: 1 solar-powered welfare pod serving staff, visitors and delivery teams with no mains access.
Every setup can be installed quickly and serviced weekly by euroloo, giving your business flexibility and full compliance without capital expense.
Cost vs Benefit
When you compare the cost of portable toilets – £70 per week for standard units or £300 for solar welfare pods – to the risk of disruption, reputational harm or compliance failure, the value is clear. Toilets aren’t just a legal requirement; they’re a small investment in productivity and professionalism.
Get Your Welfare Right
euroloo helps businesses of every size stay compliant and professional with reliable, nationwide portable toilet hire and sustainable welfare units. Whether you need a single portable toilet for overflow use or a full ecowelfare pod for staff and visitors, we’ll recommend the right setup for your site.
Stay compliant. Protect your team. Provide proper welfare – with euroloo.
