Site Welfare and Safety Cost Allowances in UK Preliminaries.
HSE regulations mandate adequate site welfare facilities (flushing or chemical toilets, washing facilities with hot water, drinking water, and rest areas) from day one of site operations. These items are priced within project preliminaries.
Authored by Alexandr Vreme | Reviewed by Maksym Vasylkov
Published — Next review
Who this guide is for
Estimators, site managers, and main contractors. Scope: UK-wide.
Mandatory Site Setup Items
- Welfare Cabin / Toilet Hire: Weekly hire, servicing, and effluent emptying charges.
- Site Security: Temporary fencing (Heras), padlocks, and site warning notices.
- First Aid & Fire Safety: Certified first aid kits, eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, and alarm points.
Miniature Example
A 12-week residential build allows £45/week for portable toilet hire and servicing (£540) and £250 for temporary Heras fencing hire, totaling £790 in direct welfare/security prelims.
Primary Sources & Further Reading
Official reference sources: GOV.UK Building Regulations, Legislation.gov.uk, and HSE CDM 2015 Guidance.
Explore related guides: Regulations & Market hub or meet our authors. Try the free Construction Estimator.