Work environment and facilities

Workers, including those with particular needs or disabilities, must have access to the facilities. Facilities may not need to be provided if they are already available close to the workplace, are suitable for workers to use and the workers have opportunities to use them. This means:

• workers are provided with breaks to use facilities
• the facilities are within a reasonable distance from the work area
• workers on different shifts have similar access
• workers of different genders have similar access
• the means of access is safe at all times.

Refer to the Construction work: Code of practice for further guidance on the facilities required at a construction workplace.

Clean drinking water must be always provided free of charge for workers. The supply should be:

• easily accessed by workers
• close to hot or strenuous work areas
• separate from toilet or washing facilities.

Access to clean toilets must be provided for all workers including those with disability. Toilets should be private, ventilated, lockable, signposted, and allow emergency access. They should be supplied with toilet paper, hand washing facilities, rubbish bins and sanitary bins for personal hygiene products. In remote workplaces where supply of sanitary products is not available, sanitary products should be provided. 

If work is undertaken away from base locations or at outdoor sites, information should be provided to workers on where the toilets are located.

Construction work toilet facilities 

Toilets must be accessible for all workers including males, females, and workers with a disability. Toilets should be located close to the workplace. In multistorey buildings, toilets should be located at least every second floor. 

Toilets should have a hinged seat and lid, a lockable door, adequate lighting, signage, and be located for convenience and privacy. Toilets must be supplied with adequate toilet paper, soap or handwash liquid, and paper towel or hand dryer, rubbish bins, and sanitary bins (for toilets for women or unisex use). 

For workplaces with 10 or less people present at a time, and where there are two or less workers of one gender, one unisex toilet may be provided. 

Otherwise, separate toilets are required where there are male and female workers in at least the following ratios: 

• 1 toilet per 20 males and 1 urinal per 25 males
• 1 toilet per 15 females 

Portable toilets are often used in construction work. These may be sewer-connected or use a chemical system. Portable toilets should be located where there is secure and safe access, on stable and flat ground with a path, well lit, and regularly cleaned and serviced. Cleanliness checks should be conducted at least daily. 

Hand washing facilities must be provided to enable workers to maintain personal hygiene. 

Workers must be provided with access to hygienic facilities for eating and for preparing and storing food. Depending on the type of workplace, a range of facilities may be appropriate, which could include a shared facility such as a canteen or cafeteria, a dedicated meals area or allowing time for mobile workers to access eating facilities.

Workers should have secure and accessible storage for personal items like handbags, jewellery, medication, or hygiene supplies. This should be separate from that provided for personal protective clothing and equipment where contamination is possible.

If workers have to change in and out of clothing due to the nature of their work, access to private changing areas with secure storage for personal belongings should be provided.

Certain jobs may involve dirty, hot or hazardous work and may require the provision of showering and drying facilities.

There should be:

• at least one shower for every 10 workers who may need to shower
• separate showers for men and women, unless a unisex shower is suitable in small or temporary workplaces.