- CDM 2015
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 — UK legislation governing health, safety, and welfare on construction sites. Requires principal contractors to provide compliant welfare facilities (toilets, washing, drying, rest areas) from day one of site operations.
- Chemical toilet
- A self-contained portable toilet using chemical treatment (typically biocide-based) to neutralise waste and reduce odour in the holding tank. The standard portable toilet for events and short-term sites. Waste is emptied by vacuum tanker on servicing.
- Recirculating toilet
- A portable toilet that recirculates treated water through the flush mechanism rather than using fresh water with each use. More sustainable and common in luxury trailers. Treatment chemical keeps the recirculated water sanitary between servicing.
- Vacuum tanker
- The specialist lorry used to empty portable toilets, septic tanks, and cesspits. A pump creates suction to extract waste through a hose, which is stored in the tanker's main vessel for transport to a licensed disposal site.
- Welfare unit
- A larger portable facility combining toilets, hot and cold running water, a drying room for wet clothing, heated canteen area, and rest seating. Required for longer-term construction projects under CDM 2015.
- Waste transfer note
- The legal document proving that controlled waste has been transferred from the producer to a licensed waste carrier. Required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We issue one with every septic tank emptying and waste removal service.
- Principal contractor
- Under CDM 2015, the contractor appointed to plan, manage, and coordinate health and safety during the construction phase of a project. Legally responsible for ensuring welfare facilities are in place on site.
- Principal designer
- Under CDM 2015, the designer appointed to plan and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase. Responsible for identifying, eliminating, or controlling foreseeable risks — including welfare provision planning.
- Portaloo
- A common genericised brand name in the UK for a portable toilet. Originally a trademark of the company Portaloo Ltd, now used colloquially for any single-cubicle portable toilet unit.
- Urinal block
- A multi-position portable urinal unit, typically 4 to 6 positions per block. Used alongside standard portable toilets at large events to reduce queues. Self-contained, no mains hookup required.
- Luxury trailer
- A high-specification portable toilet trailer with walnut cabinetry, flushing toilets, hot and cold running water, ceramic-style urinals, mirrors, and interior lighting. Used for weddings, corporate events, and venues where standard portables would be inappropriate.
- Accessible toilet
- A portable toilet designed for wheelchair users and disabled attendees. Features ramp access, wider doors, internal manoeuvring space, grab rails, and raised seat height. Equality Act 2010 compliant. Required at any public event.
- Septic tank
- An underground watertight holding tank for domestic wastewater at properties not connected to mains sewer. Solid waste settles out and partially decomposes; liquid overflow drains through a soakaway. Requires periodic emptying — typically annually for domestic tanks.
- Cesspit
- An underground tank similar to a septic tank but without a drainage outlet — it simply stores sewage until emptied. More common at remote properties without space for a drainage field. Requires more frequent emptying than a septic tank.
- Greywater
- Wastewater from sinks, showers, and kitchens — as opposed to blackwater (toilet waste). Shower trailers produce greywater that must be collected and disposed of as controlled waste.
- Blackwater
- Wastewater containing human waste from toilets. Classified as controlled waste and must be collected and disposed of by a licensed waste carrier.
- HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
- The UK government regulator responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety, including site welfare provisions under CDM 2015. Non-compliance can result in prohibition notices and prosecution.
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- UK regulations that set minimum welfare standards at workplaces — toilets, washing, drinking water, rest area, changing facilities. Applies to construction sites alongside CDM 2015.
- Equality Act 2010
- UK legislation requiring reasonable adjustments to be made for disabled people. Applies to public events and workplaces — accessible toilet provision is an operational requirement, not optional.
- Servicing
- The scheduled visit to empty, clean, restock, and inspect a portable toilet or welfare unit. Typically weekly for hire periods, or daily for live events. Every service visit is documented for hirer records.
- Duty of care
- The legal requirement under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for anyone producing, handling, or carrying controlled waste to ensure it is managed correctly and only transferred to authorised persons. The waste transfer note is your documentation of compliance.
- Licensed waste carrier
- An individual or company authorised by the Environment Agency to transport controlled waste. All portable toilet hire and septic tank emptying services must use licensed carriers. Check their carrier licence number.
- Potable water
- Water fit for human consumption — i.e. drinking water quality. Welfare units must provide potable water at the tap for drinking and food preparation, separate from non-potable water used for handwashing only.
- Risk assessment
- A written evaluation of hazards and control measures for a specific work activity or site. Required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Welfare provision should be included in site-specific risk assessments.
