Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that employees have access to good toilet facilities in the workplace.

The law requires employers to provide suitable and sufficient toilet facilities at readily accessible places. Employers should ensure, amongst other things, that toilets are kept clean and well maintained.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 apply to most workplaces. There is more specific legislation for construction sites, namely the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or Local Authority, as the relevant enforcing authority, will follow up complaints regarding unsuitable welfare facilities at workplaces.

HSE provides guidance on what constitutes suitable and sufficient sanitary and washing facilities which is available to download for free on the HSE website:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l24.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg293.pdf

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l153.pdf

http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/welfare/toilets-and-washing.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/welfare.htm

HSE is also currently updating guidance to advise that drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work.