Site Welfare Compliance Checklist: What HSE Actually Requires From Contractors

Welfare provision isn’t optional and it isn’t something you can sort out after work begins. Schedule 2 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 sets out exactly what’s required, in words rather than fixed numbers, which is why HSE inspectors judge sites against whether provision is “suitable and sufficient” for the actual workforce on site. Here’s what that means in practice.

The compliance checklist

• Toilets Clean, accessible, adequately ventilated and lit. Separate provision for men and women where practical, or lockable single-occupancy unisex units.
• Washing facilities Hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap, and a means to dry hands, located near the toilets.
• Drinking water An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water at accessible points, with cups provided unless it’s a drinking fountain.
• Changing rooms Required where workers wear special clothing for the job. Separate rooms for men and women where necessary, with seating and drying facilities for wet or special clothing.
• Storage for clothing Secure, accessible storage for personal clothing not worn during work, and for special work clothing.
• Rest facilities Heated rest areas, separate from the work area, with enough tables and chairs for the workforce, plus a means to prepare hot food or drinks.
• Provision from day one All of the above must be in place before construction work starts on site, not added once workers are already on the ground.

Who’s responsible for getting this right

The principal contractor carries the primary duty under CDM 2015 to ensure welfare facilities are in place and maintained throughout the project. That responsibility can’t be handed off to a subcontractor. If facilities fall short, it’s the principal contractor HSE will hold accountable, not whichever trade happens to be on site at the time.

What happens if you get it wrong

Welfare is a duty-based requirement, meaning HSE can take enforcement action even if nobody has been injured. Inspectors commonly cite overcrowded or overused toilets, cold or absent rest areas, and missing drying facilities as grounds for improvement notices or fines. Getting welfare right isn’t just about avoiding enforcement, it also affects workforce morale, retention, and how smoothly a site actually runs.

Frequently asked questions