General guidance on key welfare requirements
Employers must provide a safe and healthy environment for their employees that also takes account of their welfare needs; this includes people with disabilities. There should be toilets, washing facilities and drinking water available to them.
Toilets, wash-hand basins, shower and washing facilities
There should be clean well-ventilated toilets (separate for men and women unless each convenience has its own lockable door); wash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water; showers for dirty work which may result in contamination of the skin; soap and towels (or a hand drier).
Toilets do not have to be directly accessible from the workplace, but they should if possible be within the same building. Wash basins must be provided in the immediate vicinity of every toilet, whether or not they are provided elsewhere as well.
In the case of toilets used by women, suitable means for disposing of sanitary dressings is required. (Tampons and sanitary pads should not be disposed of down the toilet, such practice frequently leads to blockages).
Where the toilets provided for staff are also to be made available to members of the public, the numbers of conveniences and wash stations should be increased as necessary to ensure that workers can use the facilities without undue delay.
Where the circumstances prevent the direct provision of toilets,(for example the absence of drainage) then suitable and convenient alternative arrangements must be made.
Drinking water
There should be a supply of high-quality drinking water, with and upward drinking jet or suitable cups. Drinking water does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of people drinking non-drinking water.
Accommodation for clothing and changing facilities
Lockers or hanging space for clothing should be provided and changing facilities where workers wear special clothing. The facilities should allow for drying clothes.
Facilities to rest and eat meals
If workers have to eat their meals on the premises, there should be provision to heat drinks and food, and a clean place to eat where they will not be disturbed.
Rest facilities are required for pregnant women and nursing mothers.