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Welfare at work
Employers have a duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health and adequate with regard to facilities and their arrangement for their welfare at work. The working environment includes heating, lighting, ventilation and noise. Welfare at work includes seating and washing arrangements.
The duties are set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. They cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues such as ventilation, heating, lighting, workstations, seating and welfare facilities.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Quarries Miscellaneous Health and Safety Provisions Regulations 1995). Approved Code of Practice and guidance [priced] provides guidance on the regulations, which implement European Directive No. 89/654/EEC. It covers: interpretation of the regulations; maintenance of the workplace, equipment, devices and systems; ventilation; temperature; lighting; cleanliness; room dimensions; workstations and seating; floors; falls or falling objects; transparent and translucent doors, gates and walls; windows, skylights and ventilators; traffic routes; escalators; sanitary conveniences; washing facilities.
Further guidance on the requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 is provided in Workplace health, safety and welfare: a short guide for managers [free download], which is aimed at employers and managers. It covers: requirements under the regulations; interpretation; ventilation; temperatures in indoor workplaces; work in hot or cold environments; lighting; cleanliness and waste materials; room dimensions and space; workstations and seating; maintenance; floors and traffic routes; falls into dangerous substances; transparent or translucent doors, gates or walls and windows; escalators and moving walkways; sanitary conveniences and washing facilities; drinking water; accommodation for clothing and facilities for changing; facilities for rest and to eat meals.
Welfare at work: guidance for employers on welfare provisions [free download] is aimed at employers who must, 'so far as reasonably practicable', provide adequate and appropriate welfare facilities for employees while they are at work. This guidance gives simple, practical advice on how employers can meet these requirements and may also be of interest to employees and the self-employed. It covers: toilet and washing facilities; drinking water; employees working at temporary worksites; the provision of drinking water; facilities for changing and storing clothing; meal breaks; rest provision for pregnant women and working mothers.
Targets for reducing slips and trips injuries in the workplace were set by the Government and the HSC in 2000. Preventing slips and trips at work [free download], which is aimed at all employers. It looks at the law, managing health and safety, risk assessment of slips and trips and good working practice. It covers: managing health and safety; examining slip and trip risks; what the law says; good working practice; cleaning and maintenance.
The Slips and trips mapping tool [free download] is mainly aimed at safety representatives, but may be useful to others. It supports the HSE campaign to reduce slips and trips in the workplace (a priority area for health and safety inspectors). Safety representatives can use the Slips and trips mapping tool to involve members in identifying slips and trips problems and hazards in the workplace, using their knowledge and experience.
