Drinking Water and Rest Areas

CDM 2015 Schedule 2 requires employers to provide adequate supplies of drinking water on construction sites.
Drinking water must be wholesome, readily accessible, and clearly marked to distinguish it from non-potable water.
Rest areas must provide seating, shelter from weather, and facilities for heating food and making hot drinks.
Dehydration on construction sites reduces concentration, increases fatigue, and raises the risk of heat illness.
Workers should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, and more during hot weather or heavy physical work.
Rest areas must be kept clean, heated in winter, and separate from work areas where contaminants are present.
Canteens and rest rooms should have sufficient seating capacity for the peak number of workers on each shift.
Drinking water taps must not be connected to any non-potable supply without backflow prevention.
Water coolers and dispensers must be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent bacterial growth.
The principal contractor must ensure welfare facilities including drinking water are in place before work starts.

Worker health	Dehydration causes headaches, reduced concentration, and heat illness — all of which increase accident risk.
Legal requirement	CDM 2015 Schedule 2 mandates provision of drinking water and rest facilities on every construction site.
Dignity and morale	Decent rest areas and drinking water show respect for the workforce and improve retention and productivity.

Do

Don't

Provide wholesome drinking water accessible to all workers throughout the site
Mark drinking water taps clearly to distinguish them from non-potable supplies
Provide heated rest areas with seating, tables, and facilities for preparing hot food and drinks
Clean rest areas and canteens regularly — at least daily and more often during busy periods
Scale the rest area seating to accommodate the peak workforce on each shift
Encourage workers to drink water regularly, especially during hot weather and heavy tasks
Maintain water coolers and dispensers according to the manufacturer cleaning schedule
Ensure rest areas are separate from work areas where dust, fumes, or chemicals are present
Install backflow prevention on any drinking water connection near non-potable systems
Check that drinking water and rest facilities are operational before work starts on site

DON'T allow drinking water supplies to run out during the working day
DON'T connect drinking water taps to non-potable water sources without protection
DON'T allow rest areas to become dirty, overcrowded, or used for material storage
DON'T expect workers to eat meals in their work area near dust, chemicals, or noise
DON'T leave water coolers or dispensers uncleaned — bacteria grow rapidly in warm conditions
DON'T restrict access to drinking water as a way to reduce toilet break frequency
DON'T provide rest areas without heating in winter — workers need warmth during breaks
DON'T leave unmarked taps where workers might drink non-potable water by mistake
DON'T start construction work on site before drinking water and rest facilities are in place
DON'T ignore worker complaints about welfare facilities — they have a legal right to them

See also: Welfare Facilities Standards | Summer Heat and Hydration

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