§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to encourage employers to improve facilities for disabled access to toilets. [127599]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 27 June 2000]I have been asked to reply.
Under health and safety legislation employers are required to ensure that suitable and sufficient toilet facilities are provided for all employees. Therefore, any worker with a disability must have access to toilet and other welfare facilities that are suitable for his or her use. In addition, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 also places a duty on an employer who has 15 or more employees to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled employees to ensure that they are not substantially disadvantaged. This could include providing access to toilet facilities. The newly formed Disability Rights Commission will be working to help employees enforce their rights and employers to understand their duties under the Act.
In the case of new buildings Part M of the Building Regulations covers access and facilities for disabled people and all new employment buildings are required to make reasonable provision for the sanitary arrangements of disabled people.