What is a welfare unit?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ensures a worker's rights to hygiene, comfort and rest. Welfare units are a key legal component in any site location where work can take place for over 30 days.

Simply put, the welfare unit contains facilities such as a bathroom, canteen and/or a place for people to rest. Additionally, heating welfare units appropriately for the harsh conditions that some workers may be subjected to during the winter months is of paramount importance. Furthermore, it is important that they maintain hygiene standards, ensuring they are a suitable place for people to cook and prepare food.

What do welfare units contain?

Sinks and taps that run hot, cold, and warm water as well as showering facilities can be included in a welfare unit alongside soap and towels. Workers can use these facilities to keep themselves clean and maintain a sanitary workplace.

Bathrooms/Washing facilities

Sinks and taps that run hot, cold, and warm water as well as showering facilities can be included in a welfare unit alongside soap and towels. Workers can use these facilities to keep themselves clean and maintain a sanitary workplace.

Changing rooms

Workers on construction sites must wear protective clothing. They may, however, not wish to wear work clothes when they enter or when they depart. Therefore they require a sufficient area to change clothes, combined with a place to securely store belongings in lockers along with any protective gear and tools that they do not wish to take home with them after work hours.

A place to rest and/or a canteen

Rest areas are required for workers to take seated breaks. All workers should have a warm and comfortable space where they may prepare their meals, boil a kettle for warm drinks and have space to sit and have a meal.

The importance of welfare units on work sites

The welfare unit is also a social-hub on a construction site, it offers busy workers with a much-needed social and relaxation space.

A welfare unit isn’t just useful for workers working in a harsh environment, it is a necessity for them. Welfare of workers is regarded as a legitimate industrial requirement, businesses should take satisfaction in taking care of their employees whilst meeting industrial standards.

The following benefits emphasise the importance of having a welfare unit on your site:

Versatility

Welfare units offer versatility, allowing the selection of the most suitable unit(s) for you and your workers based on the individual need of the construction site. Whether a large canteen welfare unit is required or bathroom and washing facilities, a welfare unit to suit those needs is available.

Encourages good hygiene

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, hygiene is now a priority. Manual workers in particular are constantly in contact with shared touchpoints, other members of their team and general dirt from the workplace. Having a hygienic space available to rest on breaks with cleaning facilities available is vital, especially with the focus on frequent hand washing in relation to Covid-19.

Staff morale

A welfare unit utilised as a social hub on a construction site can lead to an increase in staff morale. Staff morale is extremely important in a workplace for production levels, a well-motivated team will yield positive results.

HOW BUNKABIN CAN HELP

We have more than 37 years of experience in the industry, so we know what’s required to ensure that workers and visitors have the temporary facilities they need. We are dedicated to delivering the right solution for you, on time and with the utmost efficiency.

Our team provides portable sleeping accommodation, diners and toilet facilities to all manner of businesses across Great Britain.

Get in touch

To speak to a member of our team about any Bunkabin welfare units, get in touch today by calling 0345 456 7899 . Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.