Busting 6 Common Myths About Construction Welfare Units

The success of any building or demolition project depends on the efficiency of the workforce. However, construction projects are often carried out in unsound or uncomfortable working environments filled with dust, chemicals, dangerous equipment, and other hazards. To top it all off, managers, supervisors, and workers are under the constant pressure of timelines and schedules. These factors affect a workforce’s efficiency by playing a role in the mental health and well-being of the workers. This puts much-needed focus on ensuring the well-being of workers on construction and demolition sites. 

One way to address workers' pressing health and welfare needs is to install construction welfare units on the building site. These units are designed to meet your workforce's various welfare needs and cultivate a supportive and efficient work environment. 

However, these welfare facilities for mobile workers, including welfare unit trailers and mobile welfare unit vans, are associated with certain myths and misconceptions. If believed, these can lead to much misunderstanding and leave your workforce’s welfare needs unmet. In this blog, Hireforce Welfare busts the 6 common myths about construction welfare units. 

1. Portaloos Are Sufficient

Portaloos provide toilets and related sanitation facilities like changing rooms and shower blocks. However, they don’t meet the other vital welfare regulations mandated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), particularly for construction sites.

Welfare regulations under the HSE specify the need for enough space for eating with furniture like tables, chairs with backs, boiling water and heating food facilities, storage, and provision for adequate ventilation and heating in addition to sanitation amenities.

Your workforce’s welfare needs are unmet by only having portaloos and toilets on site. Instead, go the distance for your hard-working employees. Switch to appropriate welfare facilities for mobile workers like Hireforce’s towable welfare units. Explore our range here.

2. Construction Welfare Units Are Only for Large Construction Companies

Welfare facilities are required for every site, irrespective of the project’s size and scale. The welfare needs of workers of large, mid-sized and small construction and demolition projects must be met. Welfare units can meet the welfare requirements of any sized organisation’s project, from large to small. 

Smaller companies may prefer a limited number of welfare units as compared to their larger counterparts. The number of construction welfare units needed to meet welfare varies from site to site.

The mobile welfare unit van range at Hireforce Welfare caters to the varied welfare needs of all its clients, be it a large construction conglomerate or a small building contractor. Choose from our 6 to 16-person towable welfare units with Ecosmart technology. 

Are you unsure as to which unit works best for you? Call us on 0345 3503793 to learn more.

3. Welfare Facilities at Work Are an Unnecessary Expense

The HSE regulations outline the welfare requirements needed to manage the construction health risks of on-site workers. The contractors are responsible for providing welfare amenities, and the clients are responsible for ensuring these facilities are provided. This step needs to take place at the project planning stage.

Along with complying with government regulations, construction welfare units meet workers’ welfare requirements and are, therefore, an essential part of any project.  Providing clean and well-maintained welfare amenities can’t be deemed an unnecessary expense.

4. Construction Welfare Units Take a Lot of Time to Set Up

It’s wrong to assume that all construction welfare units take a lot of time to set up. For instance, Hireforce Welfare’s 6-person Ecosmart Welfare Unit only takes about thirty seconds to set up on a site. Our 16-person Ecosmart Welfare Unit with Office only takes a little bit longer, just 45 seconds to set up completely.

Installing our welfare units means avoiding the hassle of long and tedious setups. With Hireforce's quick-setup range of mobile welfare unit vans and trailers, you can save precious project time while meeting your workforce’s welfare needs.

5. Welfare Unit Trailers Are Expensive

Welfare units on construction sites may have an upfront cost, but this relates to the range of facilities they offer. From washbasins with cold and hot water supply to a dedicated area for eating with seating facilities, welfare unit trailers ensure all your workers’ welfare needs are met. Our range of portable/ mobile welfare unit vans can be easily moved to near the site areas where they’re needed the most.

Investing in on-site welfare units can be seen as a money-saving investment in the long run, as they boost the productivity of your workforce and minimise their safety and health risks.

6. Construction Welfare Units Are Not for Short-Term Projects

On-site welfare facilities are a must regardless of the duration of the project. You’re legally required to provide complete welfare amenities even for temporary sites like street utility or repair work. 

As per the HSE regulations, meeting the set welfare standards for construction sites is as important as making the right provisions for worker welfare.

Provide Construction Welfare Facilities at Work Using Hireforce’s Range of Construction Welfare Units

Busting these six common myths about site welfare units. By providing essential welfare provisions, on-site construction welfare units help maintain a productive, safe, and positive working environment while adhering to laws and regulations.

Hireforce Welfare’s range of well-maintained and clean facilities helps enhance worker morale, boost productivity, comply with regulations and ensure the success of your site project. 

Choosing an experienced and reliable service provider like Hireforce Welfare is the key to meeting your welfare requirements and supporting smooth project operations.