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HomeWorld Toilet Day - Train drivers need better facilities

World Toilet Day is on Friday 19 November and is an official United Nations international observance day designed to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Worldwide 3.6 billion people live without access to a safely managed sanitation service.
For train drivers here in the UK, there are also problems accessing suitable toilet and hygiene facilities across the rail network.
The problem affects drivers on lots of difference services, but it's a particular problem for rail freight drivers - who can sometimes find themselves away from depots, sat in sidings, or on worksites for many hours at a time with no access to facilities.
A lack of access to toilets and hand washing facilities also has a particular impact on disabled people, women and those with long-term health conditions.

ASLEF's annual conference in 2019 passed resolutions to call for action on this issue, including improving access to toilets for freight drivers and a four hour maximum continuous driving time for all drivers.
We have already convinced the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to form a steering group to look at industry-wide solutions, and our negotiators continue to work with rail operating companies to make it easier for drivers to be able to access safe, clean and suitable facilities at work, and that drivers have a maximum of four hours continuous time in the cab.
ASLEF has produced a guide on some of the health effects of not having access to toilets, which can be downloaded here.
The lack of access to safe, clean, and appropriate toilet facilities is a human rights issue, an occupational health and safety issue, an equalities issue, and a public health issue. We are calling on the industry to provide safe and hygienic toilet facilities for all, as soon as possible.


