Do toilets in a village hall require hot water?

Question

With the rising costs of energy, is it legal to have just cold water, soap and towels in a toilet?

We have localised hot water for each toilet area, but these are quite costly to maintain running.
The hall is used mainly for gym classes and a council meeting once a month.
When the community cafe is held, it would be possible to turn it on for that event.

Answer 1

NHS guidance makes no mention of water temperature: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/

US Food & Drug administration guidance require 40*c +/- 2 degrees in food service outlets but recent guidance shows no tangible benefit from 40* as compared to 16* water temperature:  (link in following post) 

Rethink your RAMS according to what ever research you are able to do to support your position and save money!

Comments

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317712#Results-call-for-FDA-policy-change

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That’s hilarious!

A - vote for an NHS link. Who thinks they know better than the NHS then??

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What did you decide then?

Answer 2

this is taken from the HSE website

. Toilets and washing facilities

Employers have to provide:

• enough toilets and washbasins for those expected to use them – find out how many
• where possible, separate facilities for men and women – failing that, rooms with lockable doors
• clean facilities – preferably with walls and floors tiled (or covered in suitable waterproof material) to make them easier to clean
• a supply of toilet paper and, for female employees, somewhere to dispose of sanitary dressings
• facilities that are well lit and ventilated
• hot and cold running water
• enough soap or other washing agents
• a basin large enough to wash hands and forearms if necessary
• a way of drying hands, such as paper towels or a hot-air dryer
• showers where necessary, for particularly dirty work

You must always consider the needs of those with disabilities.

So I would say yes you do need hot water

Comments

Interesting.
It doesn’t define ‘hot’ as a temperature range though which is a bit of an oversight perhaps.
In order to save money - and who can argue with that - as with all things H&S, it is for the subject organisation to determine what risks exist, which need to be mitigated and how.
I would have no difficulty referencing the 2 links I provided above as justification for temperature reduction - or complete shut down of the hot tap - and record the justification in the RAMS.
Or make an enquiry of the HSE.

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Also, the HSE reference above is specifically for workplace wash facilities so maybe not a direct read across.