work without water

LegacyUser

is there any legislation for working without any running water? i am in a flood affected area and have been told there's no water in the workplace now. i feel uncomfortable working without toilet facilities and handwashing facilities. what can be done? is there any legislation or am i obliged to work on without facilites?

Zaph

This isn't really a PI so I'm moving the thread to the Work & Jobs forum. Mods, feel free to move it back if you think it should be elsewhere.

Moved from PI

sud

Not sure on the legal situation..

But I would think if there is a need for you 2 use toilet facilities that your employer will allow you to go somewhere that isn't effected...also I,m sure there will be plenty of water brought in for hand washing ect...
I wouldn't worry about it to much... I suppose be thankful that your place of work wasn't flooded completly and you still have a job to go to...

KC JONES

ers_amoeba wrote: »

is there any legislation for working without any running water? i am in a flood affected area and have been told there's no water in the workplace now. i feel uncomfortable working without toilet facilities and handwashing facilities. what can be done? is there any legislation or am i obliged to work on without facilites?

As far as I recall it is breach of the health and safety act. There should be handwashing facilities with hot water. Also I think on each floor there should be drinking water

I could be wrong contact Health and Safety Authority
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/FAQs/Safety,_Health_and_Welfare_at_Work_Act_2005/

Corruptedmorals

It is a breach of work health and safety regulations. During building works, the department store I work in had its entire water system contaminated. Massive 5litre bottles from the supermarket were paid for by the company and places in all bathrooms and the canteen.

mood

Illegal I imagine. But with the situation with the flooding what can you do!

You could bring in a hand sanitizer for you hands but not being able to flush the toilet is horrid.

Mrs OBumble

Having your home flooded is probably pretty horrid, too.

OP, I'm sure your company will be supplying bottled water as soon as they can. In the current situation, 'tis your call over whether to help with restoring normality, or not. I know what I'd be doing ...

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

ScouseMouse

Just be thankful the place is still open. I agree with the previous poster on this one. If thats all you have to worry about, you should be happy.

Have you spoken to your union rep? They would probably call you out on a strike :rolleyes:

neuro-praxis

I find the attitude here unnecessarily aggressive. Try having irritable bowel syndrome, or being on your period, and not having access to either flushing toilets or handwashing. I sure as hell wouldn't like it. If there is a company nearby where you can go who is willing to share working water facilities I'd go with that. If not, I'd be as concerned as you are.

davemac83

Schedule 7 of Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005:

Section 31.

requirements to be imposed as to facilities or arrangements-
for welfare at work (including supply of water, sanitary conveniences,
washing or bathing facilities, ambulance and first-aid arrangements,
cloakroom facilities, seating, refreshment facilities, facilities for the
making or taking of meals or, prohibiting the taking of meals or

refreshments in specified circumstances);

www.targetsafety.ie

ScouseMouse

There are plenty of work arounds available here. Bottled water, hand sanitiser, neighbours toilets, etc etc.

The OP feels uncomfortable that they have to work in a zone that has had flooding (possibly catastrophic), and they are looking for legislation or a reason so they dont have to work ???