“Preventing drivers from using toilets is illegal,” commented the Road Haulage Association’s managing director, Rod McKenzie, on the many complaints lorry drivers made about being denied from using distribution centres’ bathrooms.
Livid does not cover how I feel about this.
Its shameful. Could not find them on twitter but… https://t.co/xPsZgadKaH
I called, got voice mail.@H_S_E now aware.@RHANews @theJeremyVine @BBCNews @grantshapps @MPGeorgeEustice @PHE_uk @Motor_Transport @UKHaulier @TrucknDriver https://t.co/GVrIRwFxct pic.twitter.com/BYpfw2xgSd— Duncan Buchanan (@RHADuncanB) March 18, 2020
As coronavirus panic grows in the United Kingdom, so does fear emerging among people. Lorry drivers whose job is to maintain daily supplies are under higher pressure than ever. But drivers complain that many distribution centres do not allow them to use their amenities due to fear of spreading coronavirus.
“The refusal to allow basic hygiene for drivers is creating a ticking time bomb for our industry where drivers and anyone they come in contact with will be in greater danger of coming into contact with the virus.” – stresses Martin Reid, RHA Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Following numerous complaints from members about distribution centres denying drivers the use of toilets, the RHA contacted with Public Health England. In their response, The Public Health Service called the distribution centres to allow drivers to use their bathrooms, as handwashing is essential in this current situation.
“This letter is to confirm that there is no public health reason to deny access to toilet facilities to freight drivers (or others) who do not have symptoms of cough or high temperature. At this time, it is particularly important that everyone increases the frequency of handwashing, so access to toilet facilities is particularly important. Please facilitate freight drivers and others to continue to access toilet facilities and handwashing facilities” – can be read in the letter published by the RHA.
It’s still happening. Message from one of our shop stewards “One of our Unite members who works for XPO Logistics at Easton has a disability with Crohn’s and was denied toilet access at Vandemoortele in Worcester even though he showed the staff his medical card. “ @H_S_E https://t.co/wdjzlR3UNY
— Adrian Jones (@AJonesUnite) March 18, 2020
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