HGV driver access to hygiene facilities

08 June 2020

Reminder from DfT/HSE – The Department for Transport and the Health & Safety Executive (“HSE”) have issued a letter reminding firms that lorry drivers must have access to hygiene facilities (suitable toilets and hand washing facilities) when visiting premises.

In the letter, they state that “businesses which make or receive deliveries should ensure that drivers have easy and safe access to toilets and hand washing facilities to support their health and well-being whilst carrying out their important work, which supports the economy.”

The letter makes it clear that preventing access is against the law – the responsibility in law to provide access rests with the person in control of the premises – and emphasises that “ensuring that hygiene facilities are made available to visiting drivers is especially important during the current COVID-19 crisis, to avoid unwanted public health implications and to help tackle the spread of the virus, at a time when there are fewer locations operating with facilities that drivers can access”.

A copy of the letter can be accessed here.

Operators are advised to provide their drivers with a copy of the letter so that it can be shown as confirmation of the regulations should the need arise.

For further information, contact the Health & Safety team at Backhouse Jones on 01254 828300 or Regulatory@backhouses.co.uk