3rd January 2012, 08:04 PM
trowelfodder Wrote:But things will only change if people are willing to stand up for themselves. Both BAJR and Diggers Forum are doing all they can, and offering anonymity so what more do you want!!!
Cheers TF,
I agree its difficult to get the wording right, we've just written a load of draft recommendations on travel pay, and its very hard to get it realistic for use in the real world without using phrases like 'except in an emergency' -which are potential loopholes. I think actually the HSE guidance is pretty clear, they say that basically unless you are ONE person in a field with a digger, you need adequate welfare. Yes its all couched in 'may's and 'suitables' but the spirit of it is pretty clear.
But as you say, there are two sides to this, for every employer that is not providing welfare, there are Diggers who are not complaining to that employer. That is their responsibility to themselves and each other.
HSE guidance:
What if staff work in remote workplaces without suitable
plumbing and a water supply?
You may need to provide chemical toilets and washing facilities, such as water
containers.
What if my employees are working at temporary worksites?
‘So far as is reasonably practicable’ you need to provide flushing toilets and
running water. Portable cabins converted into toilet facilities are available from hire
companies. If this is not possible, consider alternatives such as chemical toilets
and water containers.
Use of public toilets and washing facilities should be a last resort and not
used just because they are the cheaper option. This would not be acceptable
where the provision of better facilities would be reasonably practicable.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg293.pdf
For transient jobs (less than a week) the HSE says:
Use of alternative facilities for transient construction sites
For the purpose of this information sheet, a transient construction site is either where short duration work
(up to a week) is carried out at one or many locations, or is of a longer duration carried out while moving over
a continuous geographical area, eg major roadworks, cable laying contracts etc.
In such cases, it may be appropriate to make arrangements to use facilities provided by the owner of existing premises, in which the work is being done, local public facilities or the facilities of local businesses. Clear agreement should be made with the provider of the facilities; it should not be assumed that local commercial premises can be used without their agreement.
In all cases the standards above must be provided or made available. Facilities must be readily accessible to the worksite, open at all relevant times, be at no cost to the workers, be of an acceptable standard in terms of cleanliness and have handwashingfacilities.
Workers need to be made aware of the arrangements to use them and be informed of
their location.
https://www.aps.org.uk/cis59.pdf