Remote welfare units are just one of the responsibilities of a contractor who is hiring out employees for remote work.
The law states that welfare units must be provided to workers if a contract is longer than 30 days or 500 person days.
This requirement is essential to ensure the physical need of every worker is being met whilst they are away from their home. There are several things to consider when purchasing a welfare unit and the health and safety guidelines help to give contractors a better understanding of the minimum requirements that must be met.
Welfare Unit Toilets
The requirement for toilets is that they should be clean and sufficient for a person’s use. For health reasons they must be well ventilated, well-lit and washing facilities must either be in the same area or close by so that they may be easily accessed afterwards.
Drinking Water
This is an absolute must for any welfare unit. Clean drinking water is a strict legal requirement and failure to provide something so vital, may result in the proposed works or repairs being postponed or even cancelled. Cups to drink from are also required, unless the water can be easily accessed and consumed without one.
Washing facilities
Basic washing requirements suggest that water must be clean, accessible and sufficient enough to wash a person’s face, hands and forearms. However, for comfort purposes it is advisable to supply a shower inside. Both hot and cold water must be provided alongside soaps and drying facilities. Particularly dangerous or dirty work means that you must also provide some kind of decontamination area for your workforce.
Facilities for rest
Seating areas and general areas for rest are also a requirement for your staff members. Comfortable seating with backs, communal tables, access to boiled water and meal arrangements are all legal necessities. If you are planning work during winter months, then some form of heating must also be available to keep workers warm.
Changing rooms/lockers
Changing rooms are mostly needed in welfare units when workers have to get into or out of specialist clothing for their job. If there is no other area suitable for changing, then this becomes a legal requirement. Alongside this, these rooms must provide all employees with a means of drying off and somewhere where their valuables will be safe from thieves or damage.
Welfare units can be customised to suit the specific needs of the job. Whether you wish to provide the basic requirements or put together a unit that has some added benefits, you can quickly and easily build a unit that’s right for your individual requirements.
To view examples of welfare units that can help you meet all your legal requirements visit:
http://www.kingsleyplastics.co.uk/case-studies/welfare-units.html
B2B Source 