Commercial baby changing stations

Is it law to have baby changing facilities?

More than 700,000 children are born in the United Kingdom every year, but while many public organisations now provide baby changing units, the standard of these facilities are not up to scratch. As a result, parents often find themselves changing their children in small and unhygienic conditions, and they even avoid places, due to their lack of satisfactory
facilities.

No business wants to lose customers, so if it is viable for your establishment to provide baby- changing facilities, it is good practice to do so. Not only will this demonstrate your consideration for your customers, but it is also a socially responsible decision that protects
children from the distress and discomfort of being changed in locations that are not fit for purpose.

What must I have in a baby changing room?

When you are deciding what should be in your baby changing room, it is useful to think about what a parent may not have available to them in public. This, therefore, makes your customers have everything they need to complete a nappy change in the most hygienic way possible.

Here, at Hygiene Solutions, we recommend that as a minimum you provide a baby changing table with a reasonable amount of space for the parent and child to manoeuvre. A Nappy Bin in which a parent or guardian can dispose of any waste. Sanitary surface wipes that unable the surface to been kept hygienic for the next user. Soap dispensers in order to keep hands clean and washrooms germ free.

Can I put nappy waste in a normal waste bin?

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 sets out rules for the management and disposal of different types of waste. One of these categories is known as sanitary waste – products used for bodily waste which, because of the materials they are made from, cannot be flushed down a toilet. This includes disposable nappies.

Although the law makes no specific reference to sanitary waste in the home, in commercial premises the regulations are specific and clear. It places a duty of care on the proprietor to ensure that sanitary waste is disposed of in compliance with the rules. These rules require
that clearly marked disposal bins are provided as an alternative to flushing nappy products down the toilet. Nappy bins are emptied regularly and hygienically and is done so by individuals licensed to do so. Finally, an audit trail of sanitary waste disposal documentation must be kept for a minimum of two years. Failing to follow these regulations
is a criminal offence.

Why is it important to dispose of Nappy Waste correctly?

Despite following the correct procedure for Nappy Waste disposal being a legal requirement. An estimated three billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK, accounting for 2-3% of all household waste, according to recycling charity Wrap. Therefore, safe and secure removal and storage of the nappy waste ready for disposal by a licenced carrier is
paramount for your organisation. A safe and hygienic nappy bin service is vital in any washroom or baby changing facility. This ensures that sensitive nappy waste is disposed of and managed with care and in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

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