Welfare for Motorway Workers

Motorway workers often operate miles from fixed welfare facilities in locations with no mains water or power.
CDM 2015 Schedule 2 requires access to toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, rest areas, and shelter.
Mobile welfare units provide self-contained toilet, washing, heating, and rest facilities for remote highway teams.
Units must be positioned within reasonable walking distance of the work area, typically within 100 metres.
Access to welfare facilities from live carriageways must be planned to avoid workers crossing traffic lanes.
Night shift motorway workers require heated welfare with lighting and hot drink-making facilities.
Welfare units on motorway verges must be positioned safely with Chapter 8 protection from passing traffic.
Toilet waste and grey water must be removed by licensed contractors; no discharge to highway drains.
National Highways and client specifications often set welfare standards above the legal minimum.
Adequate welfare improves morale, concentration, and safety performance during long motorway shifts.

Legal duty	CDM 2015 requires welfare provision proportionate to the conditions. Motorway workers need mobile facilities near their work.
Worker health	Dehydration, fatigue, and inability to use toilets during long shifts impair concentration and increase accident risk.
Retention	Poor welfare drives experienced workers away from motorway projects. Good provision retains skilled, safety-conscious teams.

Do

Don't

Position mobile welfare units within reasonable walking distance of the work area.
Ensure welfare units have heating, lighting, hot water, and drink-making facilities.
Plan safe pedestrian access to welfare that avoids crossing live traffic lanes.
Protect welfare units on verges with Chapter 8 signing and physical barriers.
Stock units with drinking water, hand soap, toilet paper, and first aid supplies.
Remove toilet waste and grey water using licensed waste contractors only.
Inspect and clean welfare units at the start and end of each shift.
Provide heated and lit welfare facilities for all night shift motorway workers.
Brief teams on the welfare location and safe access route at each shift start.
Maintain welfare standards throughout the project, not just during the early weeks.

DON'T position welfare where workers must cross live carriageway lanes to reach it.
DON'T leave welfare units without heating during winter night shifts.
DON'T discharge toilet waste or grey water to highway drains or verges.
DON'T allow welfare units to run out of drinking water or toilet supplies.
DON'T position welfare on the verge without Chapter 8 traffic protection.
DON'T expect motorway workers to travel miles to reach fixed welfare facilities.
DON'T reduce welfare provision as the project progresses and attention shifts.
DON'T ignore complaints about welfare; address them promptly to maintain morale.
DON'T use welfare as a material store; keep rest areas clean and available.
DON'T allow welfare units to become dirty or poorly maintained during the works.

See also: Welfare Facilities Standards | Night Working Safety Awareness

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record