HSE involvement over the lack of adequate toilet provision for visiting drivers at DB Schenker’s Tamworth site has resulted in the company pledging to provide better facilities in the future.
The case came to light after HGV driver Andy Garside, who suffers from IBS, was refused access to toilet facilities at the firm’s Tamworth site, earlier this year.
Garside told CM that staff at the site told him to use a toilet at a nearby pub. He told CM: “It was upsetting and humiliating for me to have to beg to use the toilet on their site when I was clearly in a desperate situation, but they just wouldn’t listen.”
Under HSE regulations visiting drivers must be provided with toilet facilities with hot and cold running water, heating, lighting, soap and clean towels, in permanent structures located on the site.
Garside reported DB Schenker to HSE for breaching the regulations. Following enquiry, HSE concerns and advice team manager Matthew Major wrote to Garside to say that the company had pledged to improve its facilities for drivers.
In la etter seen by CM, Major said: “They confirmed that they were aware of their legal duty to provide facilities, and such facilities are in place. Access arrangements are communicated to visiting drivers. They also confirmed that additional facilities for visiting drivers will be available in due course.”
He added: “Based on this information I am assured that arrangements have improved since the last time you visited the site, and therefore propose no further action at this stage. HSE will retain this information on our systems which may be used to inform future inspection plans. Thank you for raising these important matters with us.”
Garside welcomed the response but said he was concerned that HSE ensures DB Schenker fullfills its promise to provide additional facilities for visiting drivers promptly.
DB Schenker has yet to respond to enquiries from CM on when the additional facilities will be opened.
