Are Thousands Considering Quitting Sector Over State of Loos?

New research reveals that one in ten people working in construction are considering leaving the industry due to the lack of on-site toilet facilities.

The research, conducted by construction professional and campaigner Katy Robinson, who last year was named the ‘UK’s Most Influential Women in Construction’, surveyed more than six hundred people working in the industry.

The findings – a part of the ongoing ‘Release the Bogs’ campaign, that highlights issues with toilet and welfare facilities on sites – reveal that 10% of women and 9% of men say they are considering leaving the industry due inadequate provision on sites.

It also reveals a staggering 61% of women and 35% of men say they are avoiding drinking during the day to avoid using site toilets and that a third of men are having to use women’s toilets due to the poor state of the men’s.

“It’s something I have dealt with during my job in construction sites throughout my career,” commented Katy. “Speaking to people on the site, they always bring up the issue that toilets are available, but the facilities are bad.

Dignity

“It’s a niche piece of research but shines a light on a very important issue affecting thousands of construction workers across the UK. The research has found links between workers leaving sites to find alternative work which, considering the industry is facing a massive skills shortage, is a huge concern.”

The research also revealed just 35% of respondents said that sanitary disposal facilities are provided in female toilets and that only 40% reported that toilets always had functioning locks.

Katy said: “Contractors are not meeting minimum standards – and standards are not high enough anyway. It’s frustrating as there’s such a simple solution – provide site toilets, ensure they are cleaned and maintained and have sufficient consumables and provisions in place.

“If you take what we are hearing from construction workers about the issues they are facing with toilet facilities and compare that with office workers’ facilities, there’s a massive difference…It’s another world.”

The ‘Release the Bogs’ campaign looks to improve toilet and welfare facilities on construction sites.

More information on the study can be found here.

Image: Construction campaigner Katy Robinson, continues her campaign to improve toilet and welfare facilities on construction sites. Used with permission.