smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

It’s not something usually discussed in polite conversation but toilets provided by small businesses for employees apparently leave a lot to be desired and business owners are being urged to face up to their responsibilities in this delicate area.

A survey from washroom services company Sanity Group shows four out of five respondents describing the facilities provided by their employers as ‘disgraceful’ or having ‘room for improvement’. Adding to this problem is a toilet and tampon taboo affecting bosses and staff alike.

It seems that while the state of the workplace loo is a source of discomfort, very few are prepared to bring the subject into the open. However, Sanity warns that 80 per cent of small firms could face prosecution for failing to provide appropriate bathroom facilities under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, so owner/managers should not just wash their hands of this problem.

Under the regulations companies are required to provide suitable means for the disposal of sanitary dressings in the case of toilets used by women. Other requirements under the regulations include:

• Air freshening and fragrancing: the regulations state that suitable "means should be taken to prevent odours from lingering in and from entering into other rooms"
• Air cleaning units: the regulations state: "restrooms and rest areas shall include suitable arrangements to protect non-smokers from the discomfort caused by tobacco smoke"
• Soap dispensing – companies have a legal obligation to provide hand-cleaning facilities in their washrooms.
• Warm air hand and face dryers: companies are required by law to provide hand-drying facilities in their washrooms and the regulations state they "must include towels or other suitable means of drying".
• Paper systems: not only do companies have an obligation to provide hand-drying facilities but the regulations further states that in the case of water closets "toilet paper in a holder or dispenser... should be provided"

‘The poll indicates that many UK employers need to smarten up their act when it comes to providing better washroom facilities,’ commented Sanity’s founder and managing director, Geoff Young.