Survey Reveals Over 60% of Women in Construction Avoid Drinking Water Over Poor Site Toilets

Survey Highlights Severe Welfare Deficits on UK Sites

More than 60% of women working in the UK construction sector have deliberately avoided drinking fluids to minimize their need to use site toilet facilities, according to fresh research. The finding stems from a survey of 633 construction workers conducted on behalf of the Release the Bogs campaign, which advocates for immediate improvements to site welfare standards across the industry.

The data underscores ongoing concerns regarding hygiene, safety, and basic accessibility on commercial and residential job sites nationwide. Inadequate, unmaintained, or entirely absent female welfare facilities remain a persistent operational flaw despite existing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations governing site amenities.

Health and Productivity Risks on Commercial Job Sites

Dehydration on construction sites presents immediate health and safety hazards, including reduced concentration, fatigue, and an increased risk of heat stress or accidents when operating machinery and power tools. Deliberately withholding fluid intake over extended shifts also poses serious long-term health consequences for workers.

Despite industry-wide initiatives aimed at tackling the construction skills shortage and recruiting more women into trade roles, basic site infrastructure frequently fails to meet minimum welfare standards. The survey indicates that unsanitary or mixed-use facilities without proper locks, sanitary bins, or running water remain widespread across projects of varying scales.

What This Means for Trade Contractors and Site Managers

What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for?

For self-employed female tradespeople, sub-contractors, and site managers, this research highlights a critical operational factor when pricing and accepting contracts. Sub-contractors should actively audit welfare provision during initial site visits and factor proper sanitation arrangements into their preliminary costs or contract terms, rather than treating welfare as an afterthought.

Main contractors purchasing or hiring site welfare units must ensure portable toilets meet statutory standards, including dedicated female facilities with adequate hygiene setup. As the HSE continues to inspect site welfare standards, principal contractors who fail to provide suitable amenities risk enforcement notices, project delays, and difficulty retaining skilled trade labour in a competitive market.

Reported by Construction News — original article