Canteen With Toilet in Corner No IVS

Axel

Hi,

While working on a construction site I found that the toilet in the site accommodation is in the corner of the canteen with no Intervening Venilated Space and direct entry from the canteen.

This is not very hygienic and is extetremely unpleasant, however are there any regulations that control this? The Site Manager is not interested and says "it is what it is"

Axel

ILW

There are regs, but do you really want to rock the boat and risk losing work?

miduck

Sounds like a typical construction site to me. I'm with ILW, what do you stand to gain (or lose) by reporting it?

The_ICT_Engineer

At least with it in the canteen, It will not get pushed over with you in it.

mynameisclare

ILW wrote: »

There are regs, but do you really want to rock the boat and risk losing work?

If they are ignoring this H&S regulation, who knows which others are they ignoring?

dickydonkin

mynameisclare wrote: »

If they are ignoring this H&S regulation, who knows which others are they ignoring?

The regulation I assume you are referring to (Workplace Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations) do not apply to construction sites - but will apply to most workplaces.

However, under CDM regs, there are general requirements in respect of welfare arrangements here.

Arguably, the minimum requirements have been satisfied.

Axel

ILW wrote: »

There are regs, but do you really want to rock the boat and risk losing work?

I have no problem with "rocking the boat". The principle contractor has a resposibility to provide proper facilities for the workforce. I have already looked at the H&S website and as pointed out by dickydonkin they are arguably providing the minimum requirements, hence the question. I had hoped there may be other regs that would apply.

As for the comment from miduck about a "typical building site" I am afraid you are living in the past and have not been on many building sites in recent years.

Axel

dickydonkin

Axel wrote: »

As for the comment from miduck about a "typical building site" I am afraid you are living in the past and have not been on many building sites in recent years.
Axel

I also think that the quality of the welfare facilities will depend on how long the construction will take.

Obviously for a long term project with a larger workforce, fixed services are usually - or should be - provided and will generally be of a reasonable standard.

For short duration jobs, many companies will just provide 'bog standard' facilities (sorry - pun totally intended).

As ICT engineer alluded to, the portable loo can have its 'problems' but will generally satisfy the requirements of the regulations if there is sufficient for the number of people working on the project.

As an aside, everytime I see someone entering one of those small portaloos - it reminds me of Dr Who entering the Tardis!

Uncertain

dickydonkin wrote: »

As an aside, everytime I see someone entering one of those small portaloos - it reminds me of Dr Who entering the Tardis!

There is a wonderful photo circulating on the net of a hot air balloon basket knocking over a row of blue portaloos like dominos.

Given that balloons are silent.........

Google it!

Axel

Just to clarify, this has nothing to do with portaloos or chemical toilets, "thunderboxes" as they are know in the trade. Nor is this a short term project of just a few weeks.

This is a built in toilet in the corner of a 30'x10' "canteen" which is also doubling as a drying room, tool store and a storage unit for materials.

The CDM regs are not clear. They mention toilets and drying rooms but do not state that they must be in separate rooms. It is extremely unpleasant to have tables and chairs and workers eating food right next to the toilet door.

Axel

ariba10

The regulations were in days gone by, that you had to have two doors between a toilet and a room where food was prepaired or consumed.

One door is sufficient today, as long as there is an opening window or extractor fan in the toilet.