About
Health, safety and welfare are basic requirements at work, and can be divided into four broad categories: the working environment, welfare facilities, workplace safety and housekeeping.
Temperature
Indoor temperatures must provide reasonable comfort during working hours.
Where work requires less physical effort, such as in an office, temperatures should be at least 16ºC.
Where work requires more physical effort, the minimum temperatures can be reduced to 13ºC, subject to other conditions such as humidity, ventilation, etc.
There is no maximum working temperature at this time; a business must provide means of cooling if the workplace is too hot for comfort.
Lighting
Lighting should be sufficient to enable people to work and move about safely. Natural light is preferable, although artificial lighting is acceptable and is often used to boost light levels.
Where necessary, local or task lighting should also be used.
Drinking water
If it is not possible to provide a piped supply of water, bottled water or water dispensing systems may be provided as an alternative source of drinking water.
Containers should be refilled at least daily unless they are chilled water dispensers where containers are returned to suppliers for refilling.
Sanitary Facilities
An appropriate number of sanitary conveniences must be provided, and should be adequately ventilated, lit and kept clean.
Separate facilities for male and females must be provided unless the convenience is in a separate room capable of being locked.
Associated Legislation
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Employers and those in control of workplaces, have a general duty under the Act to ensure so far as is ‘reasonably practicable’ the health, safety, and welfare of all their employees, and anyone who uses the premises.
The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Duties are more specific under these regulations and apply to most places of work.