HGV drivers urged to report businesses which deny access to toilet facilities
Posted on: 17/08/2020
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) are calling on HGV drivers who have been denied access to toilet and hand washing facilities to bring complaints to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Businesses which make or receive deliveries, should ensure that drivers have easy and safe access to toilets and hand washing facilities including hot water and soap.
In May, The Department for Transport (DfT) and HSE set this out clearly in an open letter to reassure drivers, and to remind businesses of their obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
Drivers have a right to access toilets when working, indeed denying someone access to facilities is against the law.
The RHA say: “When you’ve been denied access to toilet or hand washing facilities you can report the firm to the HSE. Reports from drivers are treated as a higher priority than if reported a third party such as a company boss, trade union or membership body.”
“We strongly urge you to report these instances so they can build cases against offending firms and take appropriate action. Remember – it is your legal right to use a toilet and handwashing facilities. Firms are breaking the law if they refuse.”
How to report
In the first instance, the RHA suggests that you carry a copy of the HSE letter found here and show it to site management.
Report to the HSE via their online form. If you can't use the form, phone on 0300 003 1647. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm (on Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm).
https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm
Include the name and location of the company with date and time of your visit, include if possible, the name and phone number of a senior manager at the site. If there is signage that bans drivers from using the facilities, the HSE and RHA will act upon photos sent to them.
RHA contact details can be found here.
https://www.rha.uk.net/contact