Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007)

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007) When an Inspector paid a visit…

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007)

Why is Welfare important? Prevents disease e.g. dermatitis Good Hygiene e.g. Weils disease, ingestion of chemicals Promotes Well-being e.g. dry, warm place to eat lunch, workers feel looked after

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007) Latest HSE Guidance published March 2010

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007) Latest HSE Guidance published March 2010 Not radically different to previous guidance

Welfare Facilities & Construction Work (CDM 2007) Latest HSE Guidance published March 2010 Not radically different to previous guidance Covers fixed and transient construction sites

Construction Sites Fixed one permanent location (e.g. large housebuild project, long term work)

Construction Sites Transient short duration construction work (<1 week) at one or several sites (e.g. emergency works, small-scale maintenance at fixed premises) AND Longer duration construction work carried out whilst moving over a continuous geographical area (e.g. major roadworks, cable laying contracts etc.)

Construction Sites Same requirements for welfare on transient sites as fixed sites BUT Alters what is reasonably practicable to achieve

Latest Guidance from HSE Construction Information Sheet No. 59 Whats new?

Latest Guidance from HSE Construction Information Sheet No. 59 Whats new? Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007)

Latest Guidance from HSE Construction Information Sheet No. 59 Whats new? Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007) Smoking Ban

Latest Guidance from HSE Construction Information Sheet No. 59 Whats new? Reflects new legislation (CDM 2007) Smoking Ban More specific e.g. number of toilet:worker ratios

Welfare facilities What is required to comply with the law?

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby:

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby: Clean and working toilets

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby: Clean and working toilets Washbasins with hot and cold running water, large enough to wash hands, face and forearms

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby: Clean and working toilets Washbasins with hot and cold running water, large enough to wash hands, face and forearms Soap and towels

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby: Clean and working toilets Washbasins with hot and cold running water, large enough to wash hands, face and forearms Soap and towels Drinking water, and cups if needed

Welfare facilities Provide on-site or nearby: Clean and working toilets Washbasins with hot and cold running water, large enough to wash hands, face and forearms Soap and towels Drinking water, and cups if needed Rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat

What facilities have to be provided? Storage - somewhere to change, dry and store clothing (should be secure) A rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat food Keep your welfare facilities warm and well ventilated, with lighting if necessary

What does this mean in reality? Unacceptable: Dirty and no hot water

What does this mean in reality? Unacceptable: sink too small to wash forearms in.

Completely unacceptable washing facilities

Unacceptable toilets

Almost there! If this mess room had been kept clean and tidy (and had a means to warm food) then this would have been OK.

Welfare – good standard

Problems: Fixed sites No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice

Problems: Fixed sites No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice No hot running water (no water available or no means of heating water)

Problems: Fixed sites No Welfare provided » Improvement Notice No hot running water (no water available or no means of heating water) Not clean/tidy

Solutions: Fixed sites Plan welfare provision in good time

Solutions: Fixed sites Plan welfare provision in good time Mains water or water tanks

Solutions: Fixed sites Plan welfare provision in good time Mains water or water tanks Electric water heater (powered by mains or portable power supply)

Solutions: Fixed sites Plan welfare provision in good time Mains water or water tanks Electric water heater (powered by mains or portable power supply) Regular cleaning (& monitoring)

Problems: Transient Sites No welfare » Improvement Notice

Problems: Transient Sites No welfare » Improvement Notice Impractical…itll only take a day or so If I had to pay for welfare I wouldnt be able to make a living Were in the middle of nowhere, it cant be done

Solutions: Transient Sites Can existing welfare be used?

Solutions: Transient Sites Can existing welfare be used? Consider: Existing facilities in construction area (refurb) Local Businesses (shops, restaurants, pubs – by prior agreement) Public Toilets (as a last resort) BUT Same standards as fixed sites No charge to workers to use facilities

Solutions: Transient Sites Can portable welfare be used?

Solutions: Transient Sites Can portable welfare be used? Consider: Self-contained welfare units (towed trailers) Adapted vehicles (toilet, washing, rest, changing facilities) Rough n ready washing facilities until decent welfare available (esp. if using cement products)

Transient Site: Case Study Problem: Laying concrete pad in remote field. No existing welfare available. Duration: Half Day

Transient Site: Case Study Solution: 12v Hot water hand wash Collects waste water Powered by vehicle battery 2.5 litre capacity (10 washes?) Heats up in 15 mins C. £200

Who is responsible? Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of Project:

Who is responsible? Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of Project: If Notifiable Project: Principal Contractor(CDM Reg 22 (1)(c)) Client(CDM Reg 9 (1)(b)) CDM Coordinator (CDM Reg 20 (1)(a))

Who is responsible? Responsibility to ensure welfare is provided for duration of Project: If Notifiable Project: Principal Contractor(CDM Reg 22 (1)(c)) Client(CDM Reg 9 (1)(b)) CDM Coordinator (CDM Reg 20 (1)(a)) For every job that CDM Regs Apply: EVERY CONTRACTOR WITH WORKERS ON SITE (CDM Reg 13 (7)

Welfare Required for duration of construction project Clean, tidy & in working order Adequate supplies (toilet paper, towels) Would YOU use it?