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Free Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure Template

PostedJanuary 13, 2024
UpdatedApril 30, 2024
ByTanya

Download our free Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure Template:

*For internal use only. Not for resale or redistribution. By downloading, you agree to our Free Resources Licensing Agreement.

Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure TemplatePurpose of Document

A Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure establishes guidelines for ensuring hygiene and welfare facilities are managed in the workplace. The key objectives are to ensure hygiene standards are maintained and to ensure workers are provided with the welfare facilities that they require. This procedure is broadly aligned with the requirements of AS/NZS 45001:2018.

How to Use

This Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure should be saved on your server and continually reviewed / updated. It should also be communicated to new workers as part of their induction or onboarding process. This document is a template only and it must be customised for your business. Other aspects that may need to be considered include, but are not limited to, ensuring that:

  • Relevant legal requirements have been met,
  • Workplace specific risks are identified and managed, and
  • Workers are consulted with during the customisation / review process.

When to Use

As stated above, this document should be made available to your staff and managers via your server, onedrive or intranet. You should also use it during employee inductions or you may wish to refresh your workers on the contents of the procedure periodically as part of a safety meeting or similar forum.

Who Should Use

This procedure should be reviewed and updated by your Safety Advisor, Project Manager or other Manager. Supervisors or managers can use the procedure to communicate the requirements to workers (including new workers).

Legal Considerations

There is no specific legal requirement to have a documented Hygiene and Welfare Facilities Procedure. However, it is best practice, especially for larger companies. It can help meet general legal duties, including:

  • s(19)(3)e WHS Act – Duty to Provide Adequate Facilities for the Welfare of Workers
  • s(55)D WHS  Regulations – 55D Control Measures for Psychosocial Risks

FAQ

What are welfare facilities?

Welfare facilities refer to amenities and services provided by employers to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of employees while at work. These facilities vary but typically include:

  • Toilets and Handwashing Facilities
  • Drinking Water
  • Resting and Eating Facilities
  • Personal Storage
  • Change rooms (if workers must change clothes)
  • Showers (if workers are required to wash – e.g. in mining, firefighting, health care, work in abattoirs, foundry work, welding, and police search and rescue)

Do workplaces need separate female toilets?

Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice states that separate toilets should be provided. However, there is an exception for workplaces where:

  • the total number of people who normally work at the workplace is 10 or fewer
  • there are two or fewer workers of one gender

How many toilets per worker, legally?

Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice gives the following ratios for workers per toilet:

  • Males – 1 per 20 male workers  (Urinals 1 per 25 workers)
  • Females 1 per 15 female workers

Article Sources and Further Reading

  1. Managing the work environment and facilities (Safe Work Australia) <https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/72642/managing-the-work-environment-facilities-cop-2021.pdf>
  2. Construction work toilet facilities (SafeWork SA) <https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/industry/construction/toilet-facilities>
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