Is your workplace following the latest toilet regulations?
Employers are legally obligated to ensure a safe, healthy environment for their employees. From wearing protective equipment to providing adequate seating, employers are expected to follow these regulations to the letter.
An often overlooked aspect of this is toilet regulations, which have to be adhered to in the same way as any other health and safety guidelines. Below, we will outline these regulations so you can ensure that your workplace is fully compliant.
Toilets and a way to wash
There are a lot of things to consider with regards to toilet regulations, such as how many toilets per employee will you need? If you work in an office, what toilet requirements are there in office buildings?
Adhering to toilet facilities regulations is a legal obligation, so it’s important to get it right. Some important aspects that employers need to provide include:
- A sufficient number of toilets and washbasin
- Rooms with lockable doors or, preferably, separate facilities for men and women
- Clean facilities
- Fresh sanitary products including washing agents, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products
- Somewhere to safely dispose of sanitary waste
- Well-lit and ventilated areas
- Hot and cold running water
- A way to dry hands
- Shower facilities if the work is particularly dirty
- A large basin that can be used to clean past the wrist
As well as these legal obligations, employers are always expected to consider the needs of those with disabilities. Whether that is including more accessible toilets or lowered basins, employers should strive for equality in the workplace.
If you’re unsure about how many toilets you require for your workplace, we’ve created a handy table for you to reference below.
Mixed-use or women only facilities
| Number of people at work | Number of toilets | Number of washbasins |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 1 | 1 |
| 6-25 | 2 | 2 |
| 26-50 | 3 | 3 |
| 51-75 | 4 | 4 |
| 76-100 | 5 | 5 |
As a rule of thumb, there should be one basin for every toilet in your workplace. For smaller workforces comprised of between 1 and 5 people, the legal requirements for toilets in workplace UK is one, with a single basin. For a staff of between 6 and 25, there should be two toilets, while a larger workforce of between 26 and 50 would require three. Between 51 and 75, that number rises to four and between 76 and 100, that number rises again to five.
Men’s washrooms and urinals
| Number of men at work | Number of toilets | Number of urinals |
|---|---|---|
| 1-15 | 1 | 1 |
| 16-30 | 2 | 1 |
| 31-45 | 2 | 2 |
| 46-60 | 3 | 2 |
| 61-75 | 3 | 3 |
| 76-90 | 4 | 3 |
| 91-100 | 4 | 4 |
When it comes to urinals in male toilets, there should be at least one for a workforce of between 1 and 30 employees, two for a staff of 31 to 60 men and three for between 61 and 90. Above that, you would need a minimum of four. You should also include toilets at a ratio of one for between 1 and 15 employees, two for between 16 and 45 staff members, three for between 46 and 75 and four for between 76 and 100.
It is vital that employers provide adequate facilities for the workplace, which includes toilets and washbasins. Keeping up with regulations is more than the law – it is a step towards a fairer, more inclusive workplace. If you’re interested in upgrading your toilet facilities in the office, contact JCM Fine Joinery today.
References
L24, Workplace health, safety and welfare, approved code of practice and guidance, (ISBN 0717604136 – available from HSE Books).
