Is this unreasonable

[OnNaturesCourse]

Husbands newish work is a construction based company which has contracts all over the country. Current contract he is working on is about 2 hours away from home and he needs to report to local "base" site first so that he can get in the van and travel with another person. This means he is leaving home at roughly 0530 each morning in order to reach the work site for start time of 0700. He is then expected to work until 1900 before travelling back to base site in the van then getting in his own car to travel home. He's not getting in the door until 2130/2200 depending on any traffic etc. By the time he eats, showers etc he's maybe managing a average of 5 hours of sleep. To start with it was fine and he was managing but it's now nearly 2 months down the line and the lack of sleep and eating routine is getting to him (he has lunch break at 1400 so is going from them until 2200ish for dinner which is too late for a decent meal or he can't sleep decently) As a note the company do have employees actually being accommodated in a near by hotel due to the travelling as they live further away but there isn't enough space for all so there is a few needing to travel.

Now I know the legal limit is 11 hours between shifts BUT he is not getting paid or "starting" until he's reported to the work site so technically he is getting 11 hours between finish time and starting.

Would it be completely unreasonable of him to address the travel time etc with the line manager? To expect the company to put up everyone in a hotel, or no one? I think the travel time reasonable enough but mixed with the 12 hour shift on top I think it's just too much..

The reason I am asking for opinions and help is he is the type of man to just "get on with it" but he'll do that until he breaksdown and I'd like to encourage him to make any possible changes before that point.

He is diabetic and has a history of depression. For both he is on medication (and again both are being effected by eating habits and lack of sleep)

Back story - job was taken around 6 months ago, advised of some working away with possible overnight stays for jobs far away. Advised own work transport would be provided after trial period to save needing to report to base site first.

The problem with men and particularly the construction trade is that everyone seems to be in agreement that some things are just how it is in their field. The workers are as loathe to take up on certain rights as the employers are to give them; maybe because they imagine themselves as the employer and can't see how the business would work with things like parental leave and holiday pay.

The men I know in his position would say it is swings and roundabouts and the next contract could be on their doorstep. They'd not want to risk their job by being "difficult".

I think that is it... He loves the job and it's a good team of guys, plus I think there is a good sense of family and loving out for each other from all levels he can contact with.

I just don't think the planners etc really care...at all. There's been nights where he's not home until nearer midnight, having worked late and broke the 11 hour rest rule. When he first started he was doing 15 hour shifts for two weeks straight as they needed to complete a job, and that was only along the road from where we live.

Just don't see how he can continue as it is - there is no end in sight for this current site he is on.