Every construction site needs five things: toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, somewhere to change and store clothes, and somewhere to eat and rest. That is the short answer, and the law backs it up.
The details change from job to job. A two-person home extension is not the same as a groundworks crew on a rural site. This guide explains what HSE expects, and how welfare unit hire can cover most of those five needs in one unit.
Who is responsible for site welfare?
The contractor in control of the work must provide welfare for the people working on it. The client must make sure that happens.
This applies to all construction work, big or small. The rules sit in Schedule 2 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, usually called CDM 2015. If you want the full detail, HSE's welfare pages are the best place to check.
The five construction site welfare facilities every site needs
These are the CDM welfare requirements. Schedule 2 asks for facilities that are "suitable and sufficient". That means they must fit the number of people and the type of job.
1. Toilets
Workers need toilets they can reach easily. They must be clean, lit and kept in working order.
HSE says separate facilities for men and women may be needed. Plan for that early.
2. Washing facilities
Washing facilities should sit close to the toilets and the changing area. HSE also suggests placing them near the rest area, so people actually use them.
Some jobs need more than a basin. If workers handle cement, lead or other hazardous substances, you may need extra washing provision.
3. Drinking water
Workers need a supply of clean drinking water. Mark it clearly, so nobody confuses it with water that isn't safe to drink.
If you hire a unit, ask what water supply comes with it. Don't assume.
4. Changing rooms and clothes storage
Workers need somewhere to change and somewhere to store their own clothes. They also need space for protective clothing, and somewhere to dry wet kit when the job calls for it.
5. Rest and eating areas
People need a clean, warm place to sit, eat and take a break. It should have a way to heat food and make a hot drink.
When does welfare need to be in place?
On day one. Welfare must be ready before work starts, and available whenever people are on site.
Public toilets and cafes are a last resort, not a plan. HSE also asks you to think about distance. If the nearest facilities are a long walk from the work, they aren't doing their job.
Is a portable toilet enough?
Usually not on its own. A portable toilet covers one of the five items. It doesn't give your team a place to wash properly, change, or eat out of the weather.
For short jobs, you might cover the rest through existing facilities nearby. HSE accepts this, but you must agree it in advance. Don't leave it to chance on the day.
Not sure which setup fits your job? Our guide to mobile welfare units vs portable toilets walks you through the choice.
What site welfare looks like on different jobs
These are examples, not case studies. Your own risk assessment decides what is right for your site.
A home extension with two or three tradespeople. You may be able to agree access to the homeowner's facilities. If not, a portable toilet with hand washing is the starting point, and you will need to plan a rest area too.
A groundworks or new-build site with a crew on site all day. Here, a mobile welfare unit makes sense. It gives the crew a toilet, a place to eat and a warm room in one unit. Add extra toilets if the site is large or visitors come and go.
A rural site with no mains power or water. Self-contained units suit this best. Our welfare units run on a diesel generator, so they don't need a mains connection.
Common site welfare mistakes
- Toilet but no hand washing. Soap and water need to be right by the toilet.
- No servicing plan. A toilet that's never emptied is not compliance. Build servicing in from the start.
- Facilities too far from the work. If nobody wants to walk there, they won't use them.
- Treating short jobs as exempt. The rules apply whether the job lasts a day or a year.
- Forgetting about changes. More trades or more workers mean more welfare. Review it as the site grows.
Where Can You Hire a Welfare Unit?
Space Mobiles is a trusted local provider of mobile welfare units. We are a family-run business based in Bridgnorth, and we have been supplying portable toilets and welfare units since 1991.
We are ISO 9001 accredited and members of Portable Sanitation Europe. Our towable Groundhog units include a toilet area, a kitchen area and a warm room, and one person can move and secure them. We'll help you choose the right setup before you commit.
What our welfare units include
Our towable Groundhog welfare units come with:
- A toilet area with hot and cold water
- A kitchen area with seating, a sink, microwave, kettle and heating
- A warm room with clothing hooks
- Ground lowering for stability
- Double-locking, high-security doors and windows
They tow behind a vehicle, and one person can move and secure them. That makes them easy to shift between sites.
Site welfare across Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Midlands
We are a family-run business based in Bridgnorth. We're ISO 9001 accredited and members of Portable Sanitation Europe.
We supply portable toilets and mobile welfare units across a wide area:
- Shropshire
- Telford
- Herefordshire
- Worcestershire
- Staffordshire
- West Midlands
- Mid Wales
Building in the West Midlands? Our portable toilet checklist for construction sites covers toilet planning in more detail.
FAQs
Is a portable toilet enough on a construction site?
Not on its own. You also need washing facilities, drinking water, changing space and a rest area.
Do small jobs need site welfare?
Yes. CDM 2015 applies to all construction work. You can sometimes use existing facilities nearby, but agree this before work starts.
Can workers use a café or public toilet?
Only as a last resort. HSE expects proper planning, so welfare is available for the whole project.
Who is responsible for providing welfare?
The contractor in control of the work provides it. The client must make sure it happens.
Get your site welfare sorted
Get a quick quote or call us on 01743 630123 (Shropshire), 01432 298069 (Hereford) or 01562 539329 (Worcester). You can also see our welfare unit hire and long-term hire pages.