Why Welfare Facilities On-Site Are Essential in the Winter

Mobile welfare units are considered a necessity in many workplace environments, and even more so during winter when the temperature drops and the rain and wind are out in full force. They provide a welcomed escape from the harsh weather and offer a warm, dry place for employees to take a break and freshen up before heading outside again. However, their importance is sometimes forgotten, which is why we’re here to help.

So, we’re exploring why welfare facilities on-site are essential in the winter, more so than any other season. We will be delving into why, as a site manager, you must implement the proper welfare units and other facilities for your staff, as well as why you should choose Flintham Cabins for your units.

What Are Welfare Units?

Welfare units are on-site facilities that offer a wide range of amenities to staff members, such as:

• Toilets
• Office space
• Canteens
• Sleeping accommodation
• Seating

The site manager is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate welfare facilities are implemented on-site, providing their employees with the best working conditions possible. Unless it is ‘unreasonably impractical’, having suitable welfare facilities on-site is a legal requirement. Everyone is responsible for ensuring that these facilities are kept tidy and useable for all staff. Still, it is the site manager’s responsibility to ensure maintenance is kept on top of and they are safe for their employees.

Where Are Welfare Units Used?

Welfare units are used across a long list of different sectors, all providing the same relief for employees. You should expect to find welfare facilities in the following locations:

• Construction sites
• Sports events
• Festivals and outdoor concerts
• Industrial parks
• Car parks

But this is not an exhaustive list, and other options are endless. Depending on the location, a permanent or mobile welfare unit can be installed. The latter gives you the freedom to move it around wherever it’s needed, making it an excellent choice for a construction company or a touring festival. In contrast, permanent welfare facilities would work better for sports stadiums or car parks, where they will not need to be relocated.

Why Are Welfare Facilities Essential in the Winter?

As mentioned, site cabins are important for a number of reasons, but especially so during the winter months. During this time, weather conditions are much harsher, and employees are expected to work through wind, rain, hail, and worse. Because of this, ensuring you have the right shelter and welfare amenities for your employees is crucial; let’s delve into more reasons why.

A Warm Place to Take a Break

Taking a break is crucial no matter which industry you work for and what environment this requires you to be in. However, the importance of a clean, dry, and warm break room is even more vital when employees are working outdoors in the height of winter. The freezing conditions and wet weather sometimes make work a challenge, which means having the appropriate space for staff to take a break is needed.

Our pop up containers make the best break rooms, giving you the space your employees need to make a hot drink, dry off, and sit comfortably away from the elements.

Safe Space to Keep Paperwork

All businesses will have paperwork to deal with, whether they are invoices, plans, notices, or client communication. These documents must be kept safe and secure at all times, especially if they contain confidential information, such as financial details. When working outdoors, on a construction site, for example, it’s easy for paperwork to get lost or damaged, the chances of which are heightened in winter due to the weather conditions. Because of this, you must have a safe space to file documents, and welfare units provide exactly this. Many of our units come with locks, meaning you can rest assured that everything stored inside is secure.

A Shielded Place for Electrical Equipment Used for Admin

Similarly to the above, most businesses will require electrical equipment, whether computers for admin or handheld devices for on-site use. This equipment must be kept safe and dry, especially during winter. Welfare units are not just the perfect place for employees to take a break in the warmth; they can also act as office spaces and storage units. Many of our units come with dedicated desk space and electricity, meaning you can set up a laptop or computer for admin work away from the wind and rain. Additionally, they are spacious enough to fit storage units inside, making it possible to safely store handheld electricals, such as communication devices and light sources.

Somewhere for Staff to Freshen Up and Dry Off

Ensuring your staff are comfortable enough to work is key to both your employee’s welfare and the overall productivity of your workplace. For example, if staff members are constantly cold and wet and unable to dry off when working outdoors, this will lead to unhappy employees and reflect poorly on the business. Additionally, you must provide employees with appropriate toilet facilities; luckily, welfare units can solve both of these things.

Many welfare facilities provide toilets, showers, and changing room amenities, which allow employees to freshen up and dry off before or after work, making for a much more comfortable working day or commute home. In addition, we offer dedicated portable toilet cabins, so no matter where each job is taking place, you can always have somewhere for staff to use the toilet comfortably.

If this sounds like something your business requires, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you out. We have a wide variety of options, including bespoke containers, so you are certain to find exactly what your business needs with Flintham Cabins.