We’re back on the road from 9 till 4 with our outreach vehicle and I’m wondering what our employer’s responsibility is to ensure we have drinking water and access to amenities? The service sees us out on the road where refilling water bottles isn’t always possible meaning have to use public bathrooms.
Congratulations on the important work you’re doing.
WorkSafe’s Compliance Code for Workplace Amenities and Work Environment provides guidance to employers on how to comply with their section 21(2)(d) duty - to provide adequate facilities for the welfare of workers.
Page 8 advises…
‘Sometimes, when employers are unable to provide drinking points, they may need to provide the amenity by ensuring access to bottled water is within reach of employees who cannot leave their work task. Clean drinking water needs to be always provided and needs to be clean, safe for consumption, cool and palatable.’
By not providing you with access to cool and palatable bottled water it appears your employer may be in breach of their section 21 duty.
Read more on our webpage
We recommend taking up the issue with your employer on behalf of your DWG. Your employer must then respond.
Should your employer fail to address the issue in a timely manner, as HSR you're empowered to seek resolution via your Safety Issue Resolution Procedure, by issuing a PIN or directing that work cease, if the issue presents an immediate risk to health and safety.
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