6 Reasons Why Welfare Cabins Are Essential for Construction Projects
Construction and remote work sites employ skilled workers. Whether hired on a contractual basis or not, these workers often face harsh on-site conditions. These challenging conditions make providing adequate amenities for them essential. Without adequate welfare facilities at work, the team can feel neglected, impacting productivity and morale.
Providing welfare amenities such as mobile welfare cabins goes beyond meeting the mandatory construction welfare requirements. Your workforce’s health and well-being needs will be addressed without affecting the project schedule or deadlines. These aspects make such amenities a non-negotiable addition to all types of building and construction projects.
Hireforce Welfare caters to meeting your workforce’s welfare needs through our towable welfare units. In this blog, learn why welfare cabins are necessary for your construction and building projects.
6 Reasons Why Welfare Cabins Are Essential for Construction Sites
1. Meeting Worker Welfare Regulations
Meeting the HSE and CDM regulations is perhaps the first thing to consider when hiring on-site mobile welfare units. HSE inspectors inspect sites regularly to catch those contractors and firms flouting the mandatory rules.
Failure to follow these essential regulations may translate to hefty fines and stop-work notices. If offences are repeated, imprisonment is possible. A single penalty can tarnish your firm’s reputation and may risk future opportunities.
On-site welfare cabins are self-contained spaces packed with essential amenities that meet all the necessary construction welfare requirements. These units not only save you money but also ensure you’re in line with the law.
2. Worker Hygiene and Well-Being
A project’s workforce works long hours in often challenging and demanding conditions. Considering the noisy and dusty atmosphere on-site, workers need a clean and hygienic space to wash and clean up, change into and out of work clothes, rest and take breaks, and use the toilet.
Installing portable welfare units according to the number of workers and project duration can conveniently meet all these important needs.
3. Improve Safety and Security
Safety regulations are vital to any project. Looking after the safety and security of workers and their belongings ensures compliance with all rules and meeting all standards.
Welfare cabins help create a safer work environment amidst harsh construction conditions. These cabins are usually equipped with first aid facilities, fire extinguishers and safety notices, helping protect workers and equipment from potential hazards.
4. Improve Worker Morale
Access to comfortable and clean amenities can greatly improve the workforce's morale. With well-maintained places to eat, rest, freshen up and attend to other personal needs, your workforce’s job satisfaction and overall mood improve.
5. Boost Productivity
Well-maintained welfare units on site are likely to boost productivity. When workers have ready access to clean sanitation facilities and take timely breaks in comfortable rest areas, they’re more likely to stay focused and energised throughout the day. This contributes to more efficient work and faster project completion times.
6. Cost-Effective Solutions
Hiring towable welfare cabins is more budget-friendly than building permanent facilities or hiring different facilities for different needs (for example, portable loos, site offices, etc). Having all the necessary welfare facilities in a single unit reduces the need for a high upfront investment and maintenance costs and offers a cost-effective welfare solution.
What Welfare Facilities Are Required on a Construction Site?
Well-maintained welfare facilities get the best out of your workforce by catering to their health, well-being, and comfort on site. Understand the various construction welfare requirements mandated by the HSE and CDM to know what welfare facilities are required on a construction site.
Drinking Water
All project sites must provide drinking water from taps, clean water dispensers, chillers, or sealed bottles.
Toilet Facilities
Sites need to have clean and well-maintained toilets with a hand wash basin, toilet paper, and a coat hook. If female workers are on site, the toilets must include sanitary waste bins.
The toilets can be used by both male and female workers but are separated for individual use with lockable doors.
Hand Wash Basins
According to HSE welfare regulations, all workers should have access to hand wash basins with hot and cold running water, regardless of the type of work. These basins must be large enough for workers to wash their hands and arms up to their forearms. Soap and towels must also be provided with them.
Shower Facilities
Some work sites warrant shower facilities for both men and women workers. However, the changing and shower areas need to be for individual use and with door locks.
Changing Areas
Your site needs to provide designated changing rooms or areas for workers who need to change into and out of work clothes. Their privacy must also be guaranteed.
Dining or Canteen Area
Everyone on-site must have a separate area to dine and eat meals comfortably. According to the regulations, enough tablespace and sitting space with backs are a must for project workers at any given time.
These dining areas must have food heating facilities if on-site workers have no access to hot food. Sites need to offer water heating arrangements unless there are vending machines for hot drinks.
Site Offices
Although not mandatory, site offices can be useful depending on the project type and duration. A site office needs to have a desk space with sufficient seating according to the number of users.
Partner with Hireforce Welfare to Meet Construction Welfare Requirements
We’ve identified what welfare facilities are required on a construction site and why. In addition to the legal and regulatory requirements, site owners and managers should address the welfare needs of their workers.
Workers who feel safe and comfortable will likely be happier and healthier and with higher morale. Their well-being directly impacts your business operations and, consequently, your organisation’s profits and reputation. Having appropriate and well-maintained welfare amenities is instrumental in ensuring the long-term success of your project.
Hireforce Welfare understands the importance of mobile welfare cabins. Our 6 to 16-person Ecosmart welfare units with offices can significantly impact a project’s outcomes.
Contact us today to learn more about our well-maintained fleet of welfare units.