WASHROOM HYGIENE


How usable are Ireland’s toilets?


Most commercial premises in Ireland are required to provide toilets that can accommodate a wheelchair, but according to a recent Tork Trends survey, only a small percentage of people who have difficulty in using a public washroom are actually wheelchair users. Liam Smith from Tork manufacturer Essity looks at ways of making public washrooms more usable for everyone.


The rules that govern washroom access in Ireland are fairly strict. It’s mandatory for most new public and commercial buildings to provide accessible toilets equipped with grab rails, outward-facing doors and extra room to accommodate a wheelchair, for example. Even smaller venues that have only one toilet need to ensure that this facility is wheelchair-accessible.


Ireland has a strong understanding of the importance of accessibility in general. In 2007, the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design was established in Dublin by the National Disability Authority. This strives to ensure that all Irish environments are configured in such a way that they can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest possible extent by everyone regardless of age, size or disability. This applies to any public place in a building, street or space to which the public has access.


Usability is a topic close to our own hearts at Essity. We recently launched a global drive to improve comfortable washroom access and facilitate better hygiene for all. We have also issued new guidance aimed at helping businesses to make their washrooms more usable to enhance user satisfaction and benefit business performance.


Creating washrooms that can be comfortably used by as many people as possible should be an obvious target. Yet


8 | TOMORROW'S CLEANING IRELAND


the 2025 Tork Insight Survey revealed that 54% of people experience some form of difficulty when using a public washroom. Individual conditions and circumstances can make the use of these facilities either difficult or uncomfortable according to the study, which polled 11,500 people in 11 countries.


Those who use catheters or ostomy bags may encounter challenges such as restricted space or lack of appropriate disposal options, for example. Anyone suffering from paruresis, or shy bladder syndrome, may face invisible barriers to hygiene in a washroom where privacy is limited.


A degree of dexterity is often required to use the dispensers for soap, toilet paper and hand towels in a standard washroom, and this can cause difficulties for people with low hand strength or joint issues.


Wash hand basins tend to be situated at a uniform height which can be a problem for the very tall and the very short. Even temporary factors such as a broken leg, an arm injury, carrying bulky shopping or having a baby in a pram can make standard facilities harder to navigate.


Experiencing problems when using a public washroom can have various negative effects. People may decide to avoid going out and participating in social activities to prevent them from having to find a toilet, for example. It can also


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