Legislation and Regulations: What You Need to Know

Managing washroom and sanitary services in the UK is governed by several key pieces of legislation, including:

1. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992:
This regulation mandates that all employers (which includes hotels) provide suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities. For hotel washrooms, this means ensuring clean and well-maintained toilets, proper waste bins, and good ventilation.

2. The Environmental Protection Act 1990:
This act governs waste management and places a “duty of care” on businesses to manage and dispose of waste properly. You must ensure that any waste, especially hazardous waste like sanitary bins, is disposed of by a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines and even legal action.

3. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:
Though primarily focused on employees, this law applies to your hotel guests as well. Providing a safe environment includes managing risks associated with waste and ensuring that all washroom facilities meet the highest hygiene standards.

4. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999:
These regulations aim to prevent waste, misuse, and contamination of water supplies. It’s essential that hotel washrooms, with their constant water use, adhere to these rules to ensure public health and safety.

Potential Costs: What to Expect

Sanitary and waste services come with various costs, and while these might initially seem like an overhead, they are vital for maintaining the health and satisfaction of your guests. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs to consider:

• Washroom cleaning services: The cost of regular cleaning services can vary, but for high-traffic areas like hotel washrooms, you may be looking at anywhere between £100 to £200 a month per washroom for deep cleaning and maintenance.
• Sanitary disposal units: Installing and maintaining sanitary disposal units can cost anywhere from £50 to £150 per unit, depending on the size and quality. The servicing of these units, which is typically required every four weeks, can range from £50 to £120 per month.
• Hand dryers and soap dispensers: Investing in high-quality hand dryers or automatic soap dispensers can make a big difference to guests and reduce costs in the long run. While the upfront cost may be between £200 and £400 per hand dryer, they are often more cost-effective than constantly replacing paper towels.
• Waste disposal contracts: Working with a licensed waste carrier for general waste, recycling, and hazardous waste (like sanitary waste) can vary in price depending on the size of your hotel and how frequently waste is collected. Typically, hotels can expect to pay around £200 to £500 per month for regular waste collection services.