Readers’ forum: Down the drain

My client specialises in domestic drain clearage and started his own business about a year ago. On the upside he earns a substantial amount. On the downside the working conditions leave a lot to be desired and his protective clothing bills are quite high. He and his wife have a washing machine and tumble drier that they use for their personal clothing and prefer not to use the same machines for his soiled work clothes. He has therefore built a garden shed to store machinery and equipment and has installed a washer and a drier there as well. He had to take water and electric supplies from the house and install a drain.

For his own peace of mind he has regular medical check-ups for which he pays privately and has had to have tetanus injections and the like.

My...