Many workplaces in the UK offer on-site facilities for breaks, changing, and relaxation. But what about non-office workplaces where a safe and functional space to rest, eat, and freshen up is a legal requirement?
For employees working in construction, road maintenance, rail transport, and event industries, a self-contained mobile welfare unit van can act as an effective solution.
The key features of a welfare unit van
A welfare unit van can provide essential amenities to professionals where an office building isn’t feasible – whether down to space limitations or due to the nature of the job. Depending on a company’s needs, they can be static or mobile.
Mobile welfare unit vans are especially handy for companies that move around a lot to different job sites or work in remote areas.
Some of the most common facilities found in a welfare unit van include:
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Seating and rest areas
Legally, employees require a space to rest and take breaks during the working day. This is especially important since welfare unit vans are a popular solution for businesses carrying out physically demanding jobs and projects.
Many welfare unit vans are fitted with a seating and table area so employees can take a restful break and have somewhere to eat their meals.
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Kitchen facilities
Many businesses requiring a mobile welfare solution need an area where employees can prepare meals on-site. As such, welfare units can include essential kitchen equipment, such as a generator-powered microwave, kettle and sink, as well as cupboard storage. They can also be fitted with carbon monoxide and smoke alarms for staff safety.
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Toilets
Having on-site toilet facilities is a legal requirement for UK businesses under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974. It is especially important to have clean and easily accessible toilet facilities for employee comfort and hygiene during physically demanding shifts.
To comply with these regulations, if none are already available, welfare unit vans can be fitted with fully functioning toilets, including a handwashing station with hot and cold water, soap dispensers, dryers, or paper towel dispensers.
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Drying rooms
Some welfare units also include a drying room or a separate drying facility to store personal belongings or for airing out wet clothing. These rooms include clothing hooks and a generator-powered wall-mounted heater for quickly drying muddy and damp clothing.
This is essential for construction, rail, utility, or environmental employees, as they are often exposed to the UK’s harsh weather throughout the working day!
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Office spaces
Ideal for admin tasks, phone calls, and online meetings, welfare unit vans can also include a small office for a comfortable and private space to work — despite being in a temporary or remote location. Many come with LED lighting, heating, solar-powered phone charging points, and even whiteboards!
Who could use a welfare unit van?
Welfare unit vans provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for a variety of industries — especially for those where employees mainly work outside, off the beaten track, or move around to different sites frequently.
Some of the most common sectors include:
- Construction and civil engineers who work in temporary environments project-to-project.
- Road maintenance workers who work on the roadside where accessible welfare facilities are limited.
- Utility teams who work on time-pressured projects in remote locations.
- Rail and transport workers who work along isolated tracks where a permanent office building would be impractical.
- Festival and events staff who work in rural outdoor areas.
What are the benefits of using a welfare unit van?
The main benefit of having a welfare unit van on your job site is that it is a much cheaper solution than paying to have a static office building with facilities installed in an unsuitable environment.
There are also many other benefits to consider if you’re thinking about getting a welfare unit for hire:
- Benefit from full mobility — If you opt for a mobile welfare unit, they can move around with your team so you can provide welfare facilities despite travelling from site to site.
- Stay compliant with Health and Safety Regulations — Having accessible employee welfare facilities is a legal requirement.
- Save time and money — Welfare units can increase productivity and minimise wasted time by having an on-site area for employees to eat and rest.
- Prioritise comfort — With clean and comfortable spaces to rest, welfare units can reduce employee fatigue and discomfort.
Find a welfare unit for hire suited to your business’s needs
At Welfare Unit Hire Ltd, we’ve been delivering high-quality mobile welfare units to businesses across the UK since 2007.
All of our units come with innovative design features and modern interiors. Plus, we use a hybrid power model combining generator power with solar-charged batteries, making our site cabins up to 75% cheaper to run than a conventional generator-powered welfare unit.
As well as being able to deliver your welfare unit straight to your location with a rapid turnaround, our services also include welfare unit toilet servicing and cleaning services, repairs, and electrical inspections.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your welfare unit requirements, and we will be happy to deliver.
