The drivers’ union ASLEF has welcomed a letter from the chief inspector of railways Richard Hines which is asking all train operators, including freight companies, to provide suitable toilets for their staff.

He has told them: ‘I want to emphasise that access to clean, safe, and reliable welfare facilities is not a luxury – it is a basic requirement in any civilised society. The current situation, where some railway workers still lack adequate facilities or the time to use them, is unacceptable. This is a matter of human dignity, health, safety and respect to our people.’

Drivers have voiced their distress over the lack of toilets, which has forced some of them to use open spaces or resort to containers.

ASLEF had launched its campaign ‘Dignity for Drivers’ at Westminster last November.

Responding to the letter from HMRI, the union’s president Dave Calfe said: ’This means that train drivers will – finally – have access to toilets at work and will no longer have to go more than four hours on duty before they have access to a toilet.’

In November ASLEF greneral secretary Mick Whelan had said: ‘The absence of safe, clean, and appropriate toilet facilities, and the lack of opportunities for staff to access them during their working day, is a real problem on the railway. As well as being very stressful, and rather humiliating, the related public health impact affects not only train drivers, but their colleagues, cleaning staff and passengers, who are exposed to human waste.’

Now the chief inspector has told all train operators to ‘take ownership of this issue and work collaboratively to deliver tangible, lasting improvements, meeting legal duties as employers under the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992. The development of a shared welfare charter, mapping of existing facilities, and practical pilots are important enabling steps—but they will only succeed if we embed a culture of shared responsibility and leadership at every level.’

Do you have a comment? Click here to let us know.