Law regarding no water at work ?
23 July 2007, 07:23 PM
#1
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Law regarding no water at work ?
Anyone know what the law is regarding working without running water ?
At work in Tewkesbury today we had some water from the taps but it looks like we won't have any tomorrow as i'm at home in Cheltenham now and the water has pretty much stopped
My boss said we will be expected at work even if we have no water,they will fill buckets for flushing the toilet with
Everyone I know has said it's illegal to make people work without running water,is this true ?
At work in Tewkesbury today we had some water from the taps but it looks like we won't have any tomorrow as i'm at home in Cheltenham now and the water has pretty much stopped
My boss said we will be expected at work even if we have no water,they will fill buckets for flushing the toilet with
Everyone I know has said it's illegal to make people work without running water,is this true ?
23 July 2007, 07:35 PM
#2
From the HSE site:
Try Google, it's great...
M
The Provision of Toilets, Wash-Hand Basins, Shower and Washing Facilities
You must provide:
* clean well-ventilated toilets (separate for men and women unless each convenience has its own lockable door
* wash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water
* showers for dirty work or emergencies
* soap and towels (or a hand drier)
* skin cleansers, with nail brushes where necessary
* barrier cream or skin conditioning cream where necessary
* special hygiene precautions where necessary, eg where food is handled or prepared.
Drinking Water
You must provide a clean drinking water supply with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups (marked if necessary to distinguish it from the non drinkable supply).
You must provide:
* clean well-ventilated toilets (separate for men and women unless each convenience has its own lockable door
* wash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water
* showers for dirty work or emergencies
* soap and towels (or a hand drier)
* skin cleansers, with nail brushes where necessary
* barrier cream or skin conditioning cream where necessary
* special hygiene precautions where necessary, eg where food is handled or prepared.
Drinking Water
You must provide a clean drinking water supply with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups (marked if necessary to distinguish it from the non drinkable supply).
Try Google, it's great...
M
23 July 2007, 07:50 PM
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Comes under the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 (if you want to get all clever and baffle him with regulations)
An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water, with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided. Water should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply. The containers should be refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling). Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water.
Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be provided at readily accessible places. They and the rooms containing them should be kept clean and be adequately ventilated and lit. Washing facilities should have running hot and cold or warm water, soap and clean towels or other means of cleaning or drying. If required by the type of work, showers should also be provided. Men and women should have separate facilities unless each facility is in a separate room with a lockable door and is for use by only one person at a time.
An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water, with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided. Water should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply. The containers should be refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling). Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water.
Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be provided at readily accessible places. They and the rooms containing them should be kept clean and be adequately ventilated and lit. Washing facilities should have running hot and cold or warm water, soap and clean towels or other means of cleaning or drying. If required by the type of work, showers should also be provided. Men and women should have separate facilities unless each facility is in a separate room with a lockable door and is for use by only one person at a time.
23 July 2007, 09:30 PM
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we seemed to have water all day today as there is a large water tank inside the building although im unsure wether we will be going in tomorrow. weve gotta ring in the morning to find out.
23 July 2007, 09:37 PM
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So,if my boss provides buckets of water which they have stored up to flush the toilet with and bottles of drinking water,do I have to stay at work or not ?
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23 July 2007, 09:44 PM
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FFS get a grip, no wonder this country is in such a **** state.
We're not all going to drop dead because we can't have a cup of tea at work..
or wash our hands.
We're not all going to drop dead because we can't have a cup of tea at work..
or wash our hands.
23 July 2007, 09:50 PM
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I would say - Yes. As long as there is some form of warm water for washing your hands I can't see how they are not complying with the law.
23 July 2007, 09:54 PM
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23 July 2007, 10:53 PM
#19
Actually there are quite a few jobs where people could drop dead if they couldn't wash their hands. Might be slow and painful, but it would still happen. There are a few where the staff need to constantly drink water for health reasons as well.
M
23 July 2007, 10:55 PM
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But in context... this isn't one of those times is it!
Off to a nice dry bed now... all be it a little dirty.
I'm sure I won't wake up dead tomorrow.
Andy
Off to a nice dry bed now... all be it a little dirty.
I'm sure I won't wake up dead tomorrow.
Andy
24 July 2007, 01:16 PM
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I wonder how those people who go around saving others from disasters such as bombs hitting houses during the war or bad natural disasters manage to do anything when there are all these PC laws which have to be obeyed! How do they cope with all that worry about such things?
I remember when workers used to think about loyalty to their firms during such terrible occurrences too.
Les!
I remember when workers used to think about loyalty to their firms during such terrible occurrences too.
Les!
24 July 2007, 05:28 PM
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What kind of business do you run ?
First full day at work with no water,managed to get some water from the taps this morning before it stopped completely,saving that for flushing the toilets and washing hands. Went to Tewkesbury school where they were giving out free bottles of drinking water so all of us have enough water at the moment
24 July 2007, 05:34 PM
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My point is that your company is probably having a hard enough time as it is without people "refusing" to work.
Sure it might be a plan to grab a day or two off but why not just tell them that rather than pulling some H&S stunt.
Most of the country seems to be pulling together to help each other.
Sure it might be a plan to grab a day or two off but why not just tell them that rather than pulling some H&S stunt.
Most of the country seems to be pulling together to help each other.
24 July 2007, 07:44 PM
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I hate employees with your attitude. It's too hot to work / it's to cold to work this is wrong thats wrong. Why don't you fill your boot with bottles of water so you can wash your hands or take a ****. Put yourself in your employees shoes instead of trying to get paid time of.
24 July 2007, 07:52 PM
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I hate employees with your attitude. It's too hot to work / it's to cold to work this is wrong thats wrong. Why don't you fill your boot with bottles of water so you can wash your hands or take a ****. Put yourself in your employees shoes instead of trying to get paid time of.
I have been with the company over 11 years and have worked through floods,power cuts,heatwaves etc but it's never been as bad as this.
The reason I asked the question is because most people I know have been told by their employers not to go to work due to health and safety reasons with limited/no water supply. Some are on paid time off and some are not being paid.
I simply wanted to know what the law stated regarding working in this situation.
I myself have been out today collecting drinking water for members of staff and have setup water collection containers/boxes to collect rain water to use for the toilets.
Sorry if I came across as having an attitude