T&D is following up these reports and reporting the companies to the HSE - the HSE have just released this statement-
Statement released this evening from the Health and Safety Executive. More to follow tomorrow. To reiterate: all companies banning drivers from accessing toilet and handwashing facilities are acting illegally.
Statement:
A HSE spokesperson said: “We are concerned about these reports.
“Any prevention of a driver to access welfare facilities is a breach of law, but more importantly is not the decent thing to do.
“Following a review process [in 2018], we updated our approach to say that drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work.
“This is even more crucial now. The latest advice is for hands to be washed regularly. Failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading.
“In our view, the first thing drivers or their employers should do is remind those in control of the premises they visit of the legal requirement. We’ve previously been told the majority of duty holders do already provide reasonable access to toilets. They should still do so.”
Background
The law requires that sufficient toilet and washing facilities are to be provided at readily accessible places.
We re-examined the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, in particular Regulations 20 and 21 and our website reflects this
If you are refused access or spot a note stating you as a delivering driver will not be allowed access to toilets take a photo of the note and post in here or e-mail me if you need to ensure your anonymity - T&D will be naming, shaming and reporting.
Also feel free to save this letter from Public Health England or print it off if possible of to show when you have been refused access