Workplace Regulations for Staff Toilets and Washrooms

Are your Washroom facilities up to standard?

Do you have the necessary legal welfare provisions in place.

Adequate and appropriate welfare facilities must be provided for staff in the workplace. According to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations1992, employers must provide employees with toilet and washing facilities. Washrooms must be properly equipped, kept clean and in a good condition.

Staff Toilets

Employers with even one employee must provide one toilet facility. The more employees, the more toilets and wash basins an employer is required to provide in the workplace. For example, workplaces with 50 employees must provide a minimum of three toilets and three wash basins. Workplaces with 100 employees are required to have a minimum of five toilets and five wash basins. Employers should arrange separate washroom facilities for men and women, and these should have locks for the sake of privacy and security.

Water Supply and Wash Basins

Hot and cold running water should be available in toilets and washing facilities. Wash basins must be an adequate size so that employees are able to wash their hands and their forearms in the sink. Soap should be available for hand washing at all times, and staff should be encouraged to use soap and scrub their hands well.

Provisions

All toilets and washroom facilities should be equipped with toilet paper and female toilets should have a sanitary disposal point. Paper hand towels or a warm air hand dryer must be provided so that staff are able to properly dry their hands. Paper hand towels are the more hygienic option and should be a priority for facilities which are located in buildings where hygiene is highly important, such as hospitals, clinics and nursery schools.

Cleanliness

Workplace toilets must be cleaned regularly and well maintained. Walls and floors should be made of materials which are waterproof to make cleaning easier and the room more hygienic. Employers should have a regular cleaning schedule in place for these facilities.

Disabled Toilets

Employers must also provide toilets and washing facilities for disabled members of staff. These should be larger size cubicles with supports and low wash basins.

Atlantic Hygiene provide various hygiene products for businesses including paper hand towels, toilet roll and cleaning equipment.