What welfare facilities do I need to provide to my employees?

The law, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, states that employers
must provide ‘suitable and sufficient’ welfare facilities for the well-being of their
employees while at work.

Welfare facilities cover such areas as toilets, washing, somewhere clean to eat and
drink during breaks and changing facilities.

The extent of the facilities you need to have in place will depend somewhat on the
number of people you employ and the work they will be undertaking but as a guide you
will need to provide:

 Enough toilets and washbasins for those expected to use them – including
disabled toilets.
 Where possible, separate male and female facilities.
 Clean, well-lit and ventilated facilities.
 Supply of hot and cold running water.
 Supply of toilet paper, soap and means for drying hands – eg paper towels.
 An area for eating and drinking with a way of getting a hot drink e.g. kettle or
vending machine.
 A way of heating food eg microwave if hot food can not be purchased near by.
 Supply of clean drinking water either tap or bottled.
 Changing facilities if the work involves wearing specialist clothing.
 Rest facilities for pregnant and nursing mothers.