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Health and safety law requires employers to provide certain welfare facilities, together with a working environment that is safe and healthy for all employees, including those with disabilities. Read on to learn more about the facilities that you'll need to provide, and what constitutes a healthy working environment under current legislation.

Employers are required to provide certain welfare facilities. This includes the correct number of toilets and washbasins; drinking water, and somewhere suitable for employees to rest and eat.

You must also provide a clean workplace with a reasonable working temperature, suitable lighting, good ventilation, and adequate space and seating. The workplace must also be safe and obstruction-free, with well-maintained equipment.

What welfare facilities are required in the workplace?

By law, your employees must be provided with access to toilets, wash hand basins with soap and water, and towels or a hand dryer.

You must also provide drinking water, and somewhere suitable to rest and eat.

In addition, there must be a place to store clothing and somewhere to change if employees are required to wear special clothing for work.

In terms of toilets and washing facilities in the workplace, the requirements are as follows:

 

• Sufficient toilets and washbasins for those who are expected to use them (see below)
• Separate facilities for men and women wherever possible, otherwise rooms with lockable doors
• Hygienic facilities, preferably with tiled or waterproof walls and floors that are easy to clean
• A supply of toilet paper
• For women, a suitable disposal facility for sanitary dressings
• Well-lit and ventilated facilities
• Hot and cold running water
• Sufficient soap or an alternative washing agent
• Washbasins of a suitable size to wash hands, and forearms if necessary
• A hot air dryer or paper towels to dry hands
• Showers where necessary

 

How many toilets and washbasins does my workplace need?

The minimum number of toilets and washbasins that you should provide for your employees are as follows:

For mixed use or women only:

1-5 employees - one toilet and one washbasin
6-25 employees - two toilets and two washbasins
26-50 employees - three toilets and three washbasins
51-75 employees - four toilets and four washbasins
76-100 employees - five toilets and five washbasins

Toilets for men only:
1-15 employees - one toilet and one urinal
16-30 employees - two toilets and one urinal
31-45 employees - two toilets and two urinals
46-60 employees - three toilets and two urinals
61-75 employees - three toilets and three urinals
76-90 employees - four toilets and three urinals
91-100 employees - four toilets and four urinals

What toilet and washing facilities are required on temporary worksites?

Employers are required to provide flushing toilets and running water on any worksite, including temporary ones. If a flushing portable toilet is not possible, an alternative, such as a chemical toilet or water container-based facility, must be provided.

The use of public toilets and washing facilities must be a last resort only and will not be considered acceptable if it is otherwise possible to provide onsite facilities, regardless of cost.

What constitutes a healthy working environment?

All employees are entitled to a healthy working environment. This means employers must provide:

• Good ventilation -a supply of fresh, clean air drawn in from outside, or via a well-maintained ventilation system
• A reasonable working temperature to provide a comfortable working environment (see below)
• Lighting that's suitable for the job in hand
• Sufficient space and suitable workstations and seating
• A clean workplace with appropriate waste disposal containers

What is a ‘reasonable working temperature’?

Employees in offices or similar environments are entitled to work within a reasonable temperature range so that they feel comfortable. This will usually mean at least 16°C, or 13°C for strenuous work.

There is no law dictating what constitutes a maximum working temperature. However, employers are required to adhere to health and safety at work law, which means maintaining a comfortable temperature.

There are six basic factors which can cause discomfort. Employees should be encouraged to discuss any issues with their employer if they find that the workplace temperature isn't comfortable for them.

What constitutes a safe working environment?

In order to provide a safe workplace, employers must:

• Adequately maintain their premises and work equipment
• Make sure floors and walkways are free from obstructions
• Provide opening windows that can be safely cleaned
• Ensure any transparent doors, walls or partitions are protected or made of safety material and marked appropriately to make them apparent

Specific laws relate to certain higher risk workplaces, such as construction sites. To learn more, select your workplace from the Health and Safety Executive's industries page.

Helping you achieve a compliant workplace

For advice on workplace health and safety, you are welcome to get in touch with PMR Solutions. Our advice is fully tailored to individual needs and backed by extensive industry knowledge and long term experience.