SSSTS Welfare Facilities Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What additional welfare consideration applies on sites where workers are exposed to hazardous substances such as asbestos or cement?
- Enhanced decontamination facilities are required, including a three-stage clean-change-clean system for asbestos work, and adequate facilities for removing contaminated PPE (Correct answer)
- Standard welfare facilities are sufficient for all hazardous substance work
- Workers can remove contaminated PPE and wash hands in standard facilities
- Decontamination is only required off-site, not at the work location
Correct answer: Enhanced decontamination facilities are required, including a three-stage clean-change-clean system for asbestos work, and adequate facilities for removing contaminated PPE
Work with certain hazardous substances requires enhanced welfare provision. Asbestos work requires a specific three-stage decontamination unit (dirty, shower, clean). Cement workers need facilities to wash skin promptly to prevent dermatitis. Standard welfare may be insufficient.
Question 2: What is the requirement for washing facilities specifically in relation to hand washing before eating?
- Washing facilities must allow workers to wash hands, face and forearms with soap and warm water before eating, and must be located conveniently near the rest area (Correct answer)
- Workers only need to wash hands if they have been working with chemicals
- Hand washing is only required after using the toilet
- Standard sanitiser gel is sufficient for pre-meal hand washing on construction sites
Correct answer: Washing facilities must allow workers to wash hands, face and forearms with soap and warm water before eating, and must be located conveniently near the rest area
Adequate hand-washing facilities are essential before eating to prevent ingestion of hazardous substances (such as lead dust, cement or asbestos fibres) that workers may have on their hands. Facilities must be near the rest area and must include soap and warm water.
Question 3: What is a site supervisor's duty if they discover that welfare facilities are being misused by workers?
- Address the issue directly with the workers involved, explain the importance of maintaining facilities for all workers, and enforce site rules through appropriate action (Correct answer)
- Ignore it if it does not create an immediate safety risk
- Report it to HR and take no further action on site
- Remove the facilities as a disciplinary measure
Correct answer: Address the issue directly with the workers involved, explain the importance of maintaining facilities for all workers, and enforce site rules through appropriate action
Misuse of welfare facilities (vandalism, leaving them in a dirty state, etc.) affects all workers. Supervisors must address misuse directly, reinforce the expectation that facilities are kept clean, and apply appropriate site rules if the behaviour continues.
Question 4: What welfare provision specifically supports mental health on construction sites?
- Access to a quiet, private space for rest and de-stressing, a wellbeing notice board with helpline numbers, and supervisors trained to recognise and respond to mental health concerns (Correct answer)
- Mental health does not fall within the scope of welfare facility provision
- Only physical welfare facilities are required under CDM 2015
- Mental health support is the worker's personal responsibility
Correct answer: Access to a quiet, private space for rest and de-stressing, a wellbeing notice board with helpline numbers, and supervisors trained to recognise and respond to mental health concerns
While CDM 2015 focuses on physical welfare, good practice includes provision for mental wellbeing: a quiet rest space, access to wellbeing resources (helpline numbers), and supervisors trained to recognise signs of mental health difficulties and signpost workers to support.
Question 5: What is the minimum requirement for first aid provision in relation to welfare on a construction site?
- A first aid box with appropriate contents, a trained first aider (or appointed person for low-risk activities) and an accessible means of calling emergency services (Correct answer)
- A first aid poster on the welfare cabin wall only
- A standard domestic first aid kit in the site office
- First aid is the individual worker's responsibility and not a site welfare requirement
Correct answer: A first aid box with appropriate contents, a trained first aider (or appointed person for low-risk activities) and an accessible means of calling emergency services
First aid is a welfare requirement. Sites must have a first aid box stocked to HSE guidance, a sufficient number of trained first aiders (the number depending on site size and risk), and a means of contacting emergency services readily available to all workers.
Question 6: What is the significance of welfare provision in maintaining worker morale and productivity on a construction project?
- Adequate, clean welfare facilities show that the employer values workers' wellbeing, which positively affects morale, reduces absenteeism and increases productivity and safety performance (Correct answer)
- Welfare provision has no significant effect on morale or productivity
- Workers are indifferent to welfare provision quality
- Welfare provision only matters to female workers on site
Correct answer: Adequate, clean welfare facilities show that the employer values workers' wellbeing, which positively affects morale, reduces absenteeism and increases productivity and safety performance
Research and industry experience consistently show that adequate, clean and well-maintained welfare facilities contribute positively to worker wellbeing, morale and retention. Workers who feel valued are more engaged, take fewer unnecessary risks and are more productive.
SSSTS Welfare Facilities Management 3
What additional welfare consideration applies on sites where workers are exposed to hazardous substances such as asbestos or cement?