‘Not a luxury’

A survey of over 3,500 Unite members working in the construction sector has found that many are forced to endure entirely inadequate toilets and washing facilities.

The survey found that on nearly one in five sites (17 per cent) men and women were forced to share toilet as there were no separate facilities for women workers.

In total 18 per cent of respondents’ workplaces did not have adequate toilet facilities. Ten per cent of sites did not supply toilet paper.

Despite construction, invariably involving dirty, hot and physical work over half of respondents (51 per cent) said that their workplace did not have any showers. Even when showers were provided in 16 per cent of cases there were no separate showers for women.

Where showers and toilets were provided there remain issues about their cleanliness. In 3 per cent of cases respondents said that showers and toilets were never cleaned while in 8 per cent of cases they were only cleaned weekly.

“There are 30 toilets for 2,500 men you have to queue to use them,” explained one worker in the survey.

“We need more toilets and cleaner toilets with better privacy – the toilets only have half doors,” another noted, while one construction worker said more and more, toilets at work are more than a 10 to 15 minute walk away.

The supply of water on sites was also a major concern — 17 per cent did not have drinking water, while 14 per cent did not even supply cold water, 22 per cent of sites did not provide hot water.

Respondents also expressed concern about the cleanliness of canteen/mess facilities. In 4 per cent of cases they were never cleaned, while in 6 per cent of cases these facilities were only cleaned on a weekly basis.

“Providing toilets and washing facilities is not a luxury they are a basic human right,” said Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail.

“This survey must act as a wake-up call to the construction industry,” he added. “In the 21st century there is no excuse for any workplace not to provide clean and decent welfare facilities.

“Companies that fail to provide decent welfare facilities can and should be prosecuted and this is an area where Unite is working with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure standards are improved.

“Where Unite is organised on a site we will always ensure that decent welfare facilities are provided and will ensure our members take the necessary measures to ensure they are in place.”