The Pros and Cons of Towable Construction Site Welfare Units Versus Welfare Vans

Arrangements for meeting construction site welfare requirements generally occur during a project’s planning phase. These preparations are an essential step in any project, ensuring worker safety and well-being for the complete project duration. These important considerations align with the mandatory requirement for any building or demolition project in the UK to stringently adhere to the HSE regulations and guidelines on worker construction welfare requirements.

Meeting construction site welfare needs means meeting the requirements for workers’ access to toilets, washing facilities, storage areas, and rest areas. Various options can meet your construction project’s worker welfare requirements, such as construction site welfare units, welfare vans, portable toilets, etc.

Hireforce Welfare has worked closely with building and construction businesses for years and understands the importance of meeting building workers’ welfare needs. That’s why we offer the most comprehensive construction site welfare units that not only meet HSE guidelines but also ensure worker comfort. 

In this blog, we explore the pros and cons of mobile welfare unit vans and construction site welfare units, two common types of welfare facilities available in the UK.

Towable Construction Site Welfare Units vs Mobile Welfare Vans - Which to Choose?

Welfare vans are small, movable worker welfare facilities, whereas towable site welfare units are bigger and are more prominent features on project sites.

Both these welfare facility types have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore them in greater detail:

Pros of Towable Construction Site Welfare Units

Capacity

Towable welfare units are much larger than welfare vans. They can accommodate more workers and welfare amenities than vans, which makes them the ideal choice for long-term projects and larger sites.

Flexibility

Designed for adaptability and flexibility, these types of site welfare units can be easily towed by different vehicles. With the generator in the front, our units exhibit balanced loading for smoother towing.

More Amenities

With a larger capacity, towable welfare units support a range of amenities. Hireforce Welfare’s fleet of towable construction site welfare units can accommodate 6 to 16 people at one time. Our welfare units have sanitary facilities, including toilets and wash basins with water supply, drinking water, resting areas, tables and chairs with back support for having meals, storage space, office space and much more. 

Ensure all the necessary worker welfare needs are comfortably met with our units on your site. Browse our range here. 

Security and Stability

Towable welfare units are stable and secure once set up on site. With the hydraulic system, all it takes is 45 seconds to set up a welfare unit from Hireforce Welfare!

Each of our units has doors equipped with a dual heavy-duty locking mechanism. Our fleet is resistant to high impacts thanks to its galvanised exterior. 

Eco-Friendliness

Many welfare units are built to reduce carbon emissions. Hireforce Welfare’s units are built with sustainable elements, including PIR-activated LED lighting, a generator-less hot water facility, low energy-consuming LED road lights, and an automatic generator with a timed shut-off feature to discourage unnecessary fuel usage. 

All these features reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions on site, adding to the eco-friendliness of our construction site welfare units.

Cons of Towable Construction Site Welfare Units

Space

Welfare units need a little more space than welfare vans, which can pose a challenge on sites with severe space limitations. If you have a small workforce, however, our 6-man unit may do the job. 

Cost

While the price of a welfare unit is typically more than a welfare van, the value for money is incomparable. Many companies also offer hire solutions if you can’t commit to buying a welfare unit outright and the project’s budget is stretched thin. 

Pros of Mobile Welfare Vans

Compact

Their smaller size is the key highlight of mobile welfare unit vans. They’re more space-efficient compared to their welfare unit counterparts.

High Mobility

Mobile welfare vans are highly mobile and can be quickly relocated within or to another site. This feature works wonderfully for space-restricted projects and those requiring frequent movement between sites.

Cons of Mobile Welfare Vans

Limited Capacity

These vans have a smaller capacity, limiting the number of personnel and worker welfare facilities it can support. 

Unsuitable for Larger Projects

Large-scale projects need fully equipped welfare units that support a large number of workers on site. Due to their capacity and size limitations, mobile welfare vans may not be the right choice for projects that require longer durations and larger teams. Limited amenities in these vans can affect worker comfort and satisfaction.

Security and Safety Concerns

Being lightweight and highly mobile can be a disadvantage at times. These vans are more susceptible to theft and vandalism, putting the safety and security of workers, their belongings, and office amenities at risk. Additional measures, such as secure parking areas or locking mechanisms, can boost these vans’ security.

Hire Hireforce Welfare’s Construction Site Welfare Units to Meet Worker Welfare Needs

Ultimately, your choice of on-site welfare facility depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your workforce, the project's duration, budget, and other project-specific requirements. For years, Hireforce Welfare has specialised in helping construction businesses meet HSE worker welfare regulations and requirements for worker comfort and convenience.

Hireforce Welfare, a part of the Hireforce group, is committed to offering bespoke welfare solutions that enhance and support the well-being of your workforce. Our fleet of 6 to 16-person Ecosmart towable welfare units meets CDM and HSE requirements for worker welfare. 

We’re a leading welfare unit hire company in the UK, and our portable welfare solutions have helped and supported countless businesses since being founded in 2012. 

Count on us and our fleet to meet your construction site welfare needs.