Image

Welfare facilities and social distancing measures

Have you recently had a safety moment? Share it in here and help raise awareness, start a conversation, encourage people to talk about HSE, spread the word! It might just save a life!

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
jennielouises
Student
Student
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 2:28 pm
9

Welfare facilities and social distancing measures

Post by jennielouises »

In our office block they have decided that the toilets are limited to those on that floor and only one person can be in the room at a time. There are 100 people on each floor, 3 ladies toilets, and 2 cublices and 2 urinals in the mens. 

Obviously the landlord has a legal duty to provide adequate easy access to the toilets. The social distancing guidance on the HSE site says, 'Refusing access for any reason, including as an infection control measure, is against the law.' But it also has guidance saying, 'To protect people when using existing toilet and washing facilities consider the following:... 'Put in place systems such as 'one in, one out' if it isn't possible to maintain social distancing.' 

The space between the cubicles and the sink is less than a metre so it isn't possible to maintain social distancing. Our other building has just marked the middle cucbile out of use but that wouldn't solve the issue here. 

To me, that sounds like they are able to do this but my colleague as this is just guidance, and the legal duty comes from the regulation for welfare at work, that this solution is dangerous, unacceptable as the numbers aren't sufficient. So I wanted to turn to others to see what their interpretation is? If my colleague is correct then I will challenge our landlords
User avatar
Messy
Grand Shidoshi
Grand Shidoshi
Posts: 3585
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:59 am
17
Occupation: 46 years experience with a metropolitan Fire Brigade and then Fire Safety Manager for a global brand.

Now sort of retired from the fire safety game, but doing the odd job here and there to keep my grey matter working and as I hate sudoku and havent got the back for an allotment
Location: Sunny London where the streets are paved with gold ;)
Has thanked: 363 times
Been thanked: 660 times

Re: Welfare facilities and social distancing measures

Post by Messy »

Surely taking a middle cubicle out in a bank of three is excessive isnt it?

Our total covid capacity takes into account toilets and tea points and not just desk space. As a result, we are running at just a little more than 30% capacity, with the rest working from home on a rota
stephen1974
Anorak Extraordinaire
Anorak Extraordinaire
Posts: 743
Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:55 pm
10
Has thanked: 26 times
Been thanked: 202 times

Re: Welfare facilities and social distancing measures

Post by stephen1974 »

Just ridiculous.

I assume you are wearing masks and washing you hands - so whats the problem? if you are wearing a mask you dont need to social distance.
Post Reply

 

Access Croner-i Navigate Safety-Lite here for free

HSfB Facebook Group Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Find us on on LinkedIn

Terms of Use Privacy Policy