The Workplace

The Workplace

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 apply to all workplaces.  The employer must ensure that any workplace within its control complies with the Regulations.  
In addition to the specific health, safety and welfare requirements set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 there is, in regulation 5, an obligation on the employer or controller of the premises to see that the workplace and equipment, devices and systems in it are in an efficient state and kept in good order.
1.	The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 do not detract from the occupier’s statutory obligations under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 to take reasonable care to ensure that all visitors to the premises, i.e. contractors and trainees, are reasonable safe.
2.	ACCESS, EGRESS AND INTERNAL ROUTE WAYS
	Safe access and egress to and from any workplace must be available. Every workplace must be organised to allow pedestrians and vehicles to move about safely.
3.	WINDOWS
	Windows or windows in doors, gates and partitions must be of a safety material which is protected against breakage and which, if it does break, breaks safely.  Windows, skylight and ventilators must not present a risk when being opened, closed or adjusted and they must be able to be cleaned safely.
4.	FLOORS
	Every floor and the surface of every traffic route in a workplace must be of sound construction and must be strong and stable enough to cope with the loads which are placed on it and the traffic which uses it.  Floors must be free of holes, slopes and uneven or slippery surfaces which could cause a person to slip, trip or fall or to drop anything which is being carried.  Any holes, bumps or uneven surfaces which could cause an accident should be put right as soon as possible and, in the meantime, extra precautions should be taken.
5.	Stairs
	Every open side of a staircase should be securely fenced. The Approved Code of Practice, Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare : Approved Code of Practice (L Series No. 24, Health and Safety Executive, 1992) recommends an upper rail at 900mm or higher and a lower rail anywhere below this.  There should be a handrail on at least one side of every staircase and there should be handrails on both sides if there is a particular risk of falling.

6.	Falls and Falling Objects
	So far as is reasonably practicable, suitable and effective measures must be taken to prevent any person falling or being struck by a falling object.
7.	Temperature
	During working hours the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable.
	The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16oC (60.8oF) unless much of the work involves severe physical effort, in which case the temperature should be at least 13oC (55.4oF).  However, these temperatures may not ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.  These temperatures refer to readings taken using an ordinary dry bulb thermometer, close to anywhere a person works, at working height and away from windows.
	The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996 No. 360) set the minimum temperature requirements as follows.
	Areas where there is the normal level of physical activity associated with teaching, private study or examination	18oC	
	Areas where there is a lower than normal level of physical activity because of sickness or physical disability, including sick rooms and isolation rooms, but not other sleeping accommodation	21oC	
	Areas where there is a higher than normal level of physical activity (for example areas used for physical education), washrooms, sleeping accommodation and circulation spaces	15oC	

8.	Ventilation
	Effective and suitable provision must be made to ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air.  In most cases, windows or other openings provide sufficient ventilation. suggests that where necessary mechanical ventilation systems should be used.
9.	Lighting and Emergency Lighting
	Every workplace must have suitable and sufficient lighting which, so far as is reasonably practicable, should be by natural light.  Lighting should be sufficient to allow people to work, use facilities and move around safely without risk of eye strain.  Emergency lighting should be provided where there would be a special risk if normal lighting failed.
10.	Room Dimensions and Space
	Every room where persons work must have sufficient floor area, height and unoccupied space for the purposes of health, safety and welfare.  The WHSW regulations do not make reference to non-employees, i.e. pupils and visitors.  The Approved Code of Practice recommends that the total volume of the room when empty divided by the number of people who normally work in it should be at least 11 cubic metres.  However, this calculation does not apply to rooms used for “lectures, meetings and similar purposes”.
11.	Suitability of Workstations and Seating
	Workstations, including seating, should be arranged so that each task can be carried out safely and comfortably.
12.	Cleanliness and Waste Material
	Every workplace and its furniture, furnishings and fittings must be kept sufficiently clean.  Similar requirements apply to floors, walls and ceilings.  So far as is reasonably practicable, waste must not be allowed to accumulate, except in suitable receptacles.  The standard of cleanliness required depends on the use to which the workplace is put.
13.	Toilets
	Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences must be provided at readily accessibly places.  “Suitable and sufficient” means adequately ventilated and lit, clean and tidy and when separate facilities for men and women. WHSW sets out minimum numbers of sanitary conveniences based on the number of people at work. (see table below)
	
1
No at work	2
Number of water closets	3
Number of wash stations	
1 to 5	1	1	
6 to 25	2	2	
26 to 50	3	3	
51 to 75	4	4	
76 to 100	5	5	

In case of sanitary accommodation used only by men, Table 2 may be followed if desired.

TABLE 2
1
Number at work	2
Number of water closets	3
Number of wash stations	
1 to 15	1	1	
16 to 30	2	1	
31 to 45	2	2	
46 to 60	3	2	
61 to 75	3	3	
76 to 90	4	3	
91 to 100	4	4	

14.	Washing and Changing Facilities
	There must be “suitable and sufficient” washing facilities, including showers if the nature of the work requires this.  “Suitable and sufficient” means that there is a supply of clean, hot and cold or warm water and that there are facilities in the immediate vicinity of every sanitary convenience and in the vicinity of any changing rooms.  Washing areas must be clean, tidy and sufficiently lit and ventilated, with separate facilities for men and women.  WHSW sets out the minimum number of washing stations that should be provided relating to the number of people at work. (see table above)
15.	Clothing Storage
	There must be “suitable and sufficient” accommodation for work clothing, and employees’ own clothing in a clean, warm, dry, well-ventilated place.
16.	Drinking Water
	There must be an adequate supply of “wholesome” drinking water for all persons at work in the workplace.
17.	Rest Areas
	There must be “suitable and sufficient” rest facilities for employees, including eating facilities.  Rest rooms and rest areas must include suitable arrangements to protect non-smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke.
18.	Rest Facilities for Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers
	Suitable rest facilities must be provided for pregnant women and nursing mothers.  They should be conveniently situated in relation to washing and toilet facilities.

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