Businesses warned: denying drivers toilet access is illegal

As the UK at large came to terms with the reality of a toilet roll shortage, some lorry drivers working hard to keep the nation in supply were still being denied access to toilets at all – as customers continued to turn them away from on-site lavatory and handwashing facilities in spite of the current emergency.

Indeed, some businesses were citing the risk of coronavirus as a reason to refuse access, reports suggested. Certain hauliers, including Jack Richards & Son of Fakenham, responded by telling offending companies that they would be refused further deliveries if they persisted in the policy.

In a rare joint statement, FTA chief executive David Wells, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett, and Adrian Jones, national officer at the transport workers’ union Unite, said: “Government advice during this crisis is to wash hands thoroughly and often…On behalf of such a key industry, we demand that those relying on logistics to keep their businesses operating comply with the legal requirements laid down by public health authorities.

“Drivers are the backbone of the UK’s supply chain and must be protected at all costs. It is vital that all sectors of the economy… ensure hygiene facilities are available where and whenever they are needed. The health and wellbeing of the nation depends on it.”

Nina Day, policy advisor at the Health & Safety Executive’s Transport & Public Services Unit, emphasised: “If you have goods delivered to or collected from your work premises, you must let visiting drivers use your toilets and handwashing facilities.

“It’s important at any time, but right now it’s vital that drivers are able to wash their hands when they need to. You are breaking the law if you refuse access to visiting drivers. You are also putting the drivers and others at risk.”