Welfare Provision Calculator

CDM 2015 Schedule 2 requires: sanitary conveniences (toilets), washing facilities with hot and cold (or warm) water, drinking water, rest facilities with seating and a means to heat food, changing and drying facilities where needed, and adequate lighting and ventilation in all welfare areas. Schedule 2 sets these as "suitable and sufficient" duties; the numeric ratios used here come from the HSE Construction Welfare Standards, BS 6465-1:2006+A1:2009 and the WHSWR ACoP L24.

BS 6465-1:2006+A1:2009 (quoted in the HSE Construction Welfare Standards) recommends 1 chemical closet per 7 persons where the units are emptied once a week — that is the ratio this calculator uses. For mixed-gender sites, separate facilities for women must be provided, so a separate calculation is made for each group. Where plumbed WCs and urinals are provided for men only, urinal substitution (WHSWR L24 Table 2) can reduce the number of WCs, but there must always be at least one WC. Flushing toilets connected to drains are preferred for longer projects.

Drying facilities should be provided on projects lasting more than 2 weeks, especially during autumn and winter, so workers have somewhere to dry wet clothing. A heated space with hanging rails is sufficient. This is particularly important for outdoor trades. (This 2-week trigger is a practical rule of thumb — CDM Schedule 2 simply requires drying facilities "where necessary".)

Construction is a HIGHER-hazard activity in HSE INDG214(rev2) Table 2 (behind ACoP L74 / the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981). For higher-hazard work: fewer than 5 workers need at least an appointed person and a stocked first-aid kit; 5 to 50 workers need at least one TRAINED first-aider (EFAW or FAW); more than 50 workers need at least one FAW first-aider per 50 (or part thereof). There is no fixed first-aid kit-to-worker ratio — provide at least one suitably stocked kit per workplace, with more on larger, higher-risk or multi-storey sites, as set by your first-aid needs assessment.

CDM and the HSE guidance do not set a "water points per worker" ratio — they require an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water plus enough cups. The only quantified figure is consumption: the NHS guideline is about 1.2 litres per person per day for normal activity in a moderate climate (roughly 6 × 200 ml cups), and more is needed in hot weather or for strenuous work. This calculator estimates daily drinking volume on that basis.

Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor must ensure adequate welfare facilities are provided from the start of the construction phase. The client must also ensure arrangements are in place. On single-contractor projects, the contractor has this duty.