WEL/Remote/TBT-WEL-013

Welfare for Remote and Mobile Workers

Welfare & Site Setup › Remote › Welfare for Remote and Mobile Workers

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Remote and mobile workers include surveyors, inspectors, operatives on pipeline routes, and highway patrols.
CDM 2015 requires welfare provision for all workers, including those who are not based at a fixed site.
Mobile welfare units, client premises, and public facilities may be used where fixed provision is impracticable.
At minimum, workers need access to toilet facilities, drinking water, washing facilities, and a place to rest.
Planning welfare for mobile workers requires knowledge of the daily route and work locations.
Portaloo-style units and welfare vans can be deployed along pipeline routes and linear work sites.
Meal and hydration needs must be met — carrying food and water is acceptable only for short durations.
Hand washing after handling contaminated materials or using the toilet is a basic health requirement.
The employer must plan welfare provision in advance — workers should not need to find their own facilities.
Welfare provision is part of the construction phase plan under CDM 2015.

Legal requirement	CDM 2015 Schedule 2 requires suitable welfare facilities for all workers including remote and mobile operatives.
Worker health	Lack of toilet, water, and rest facilities causes dehydration, infection risk, and reduced alertness.
Dignity	All workers deserve basic welfare — failure to provide it is a clear indicator of poor site management.

Don't

Plan welfare provision for remote and mobile workers as part of the construction phase plan
Deploy mobile welfare units along linear work routes at accessible locations
Provide drinking water, either bottled or through vehicle-mounted supply, for every shift
Ensure toilet facilities are available within reasonable distance of every work location
Provide hand washing facilities or antibacterial hand gel as a minimum for mobile workers
Include a heated rest area or vehicle cab for meal breaks and shelter from weather
Brief mobile workers on the planned welfare locations before they start each shift
Maintain mobile welfare units to the same standard as fixed site facilities
Agree use of client premises or public facilities in advance where mobile units are not feasible
Review welfare arrangements whenever the work location or route changes

DON'T send workers to remote locations without planned welfare arrangements in place
DON'T rely on workers finding their own toilet and rest facilities during the shift
DON'T allow dehydration — provide adequate drinking water for the full working day
DON'T leave mobile welfare units dirty, unstocked, or with broken heating
DON'T assume a short task duration means welfare is unnecessary — it always applies
DON'T expect workers to eat meals in the cab of a dirty work vehicle as standard
DON'T ignore hand washing — workers handling contaminated materials must be able to wash
DON'T delay welfare planning until workers complain — it must be arranged in advance
DON'T reduce welfare provision as a cost-saving measure on remote work locations
DON'T forget that welfare requirements apply equally to subcontractor mobile workers

See also: Welfare Facilities Standards | Welfare for Pipeline Workers

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