Health, Safety and Welfare at Work
Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
A Short Guide for Managers
Introduction
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and
apply to most workplaces (with the exception of those workplaces
involving construction work on construction sites, those in or on a
ship, or those below ground at a mine). They are amended by the
Quarries Regulations 1999, the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous
Amendments) Regulations 2002, the Work at Height Regulations 2005,
and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
This leaflet gives a brief outline of the requirements of the
Workplace Regulations.
Requirements under these Regulations
Employers have a general duty under section 2 of the Health and
Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at
work. People in control of non-domestic premises have a duty (under
section 4 of the Act) towards people who are not their employees
but use their premises. The Regulations expand on these duties and
are intended to protect the health and safety of everyone in the
workplace, and ensure that adequate welfare facilities are provided
for people at work.
These Regulations aim to ensure that workplaces meet the health,
safety and welfare needs of all members of a workforce, including
people with disabilities. Several of the Regulations require things
to be ‘suitable’. Regulation 2(3) makes it clear that things should
be suitable for anyone. This includes people with disabilities.
Where necessary, parts of the workplace, including in particular
doors, passageways, stairs, showers, washbasins, lavatories and
workstations, should be made accessible for disabled people.
Interpretation
‘Workplace' - these Regulations apply to a very wide range of
workplaces, not only factories, shops and offices but also, for
example, schools, hospitals, hotels and places of entertainment.
The term workplace also includes the common parts of shared
buildings, private roads and paths on industrial estates and
business parks, and temporary worksites (except workplaces
involving construction work on construction sites).
‘Work’ - means work as an employee or self-employed person.
‘Premises’ - means any place including an outdoor place.
‘Domestic premises’ - means a private dwelling. These
Regulations do not apply to domestic premises, and exclude
homeworkers. However, they do apply to hotels, nursing homes and to
parts of workplaces where ‘domestic’ staff are employed, such as
the kitchens of hostels.
‘Disabled person’ - has the meaning given by section 1 of the
Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Health
The measures outlined in this section contribute to the general
working environment of people in the workplace.
Ventilation
Workplaces need to be adequately ventilated. Fresh, clean air
should be drawn from a source outside the workplace, uncontaminated
by discharges from flues, chimneys or other process outlets, and be
circulated through the workrooms.
Ventilation should also remove and dilute warm, humid air and
provide air movement which gives a sense of freshness without
causing a draught. If the workplace contains process or heating
equipment or other sources of dust, fumes or vapours, more fresh
air will be needed to provide adequate ventilation.
Windows or other openings may provide sufficient ventilation
but, where necessary, mechanical ventilation systems should be
provided and regularly maintained.
Temperatures in indoor workplaces
Environmental factors (such as humidity and sources of heat in
the workplace) combine with personal factors (such as the clothing
a worker is wearing and how physically demanding their work is) to
influence what is called someone’s ‘thermal comfort’.
Individual personal preference makes it difficult to specify a
thermal environment which satisfies everyone. For workplaces where
the activity is mainly sedentary, for example offices, the
temperature should normally be at least 16°c. If work involves
physical effort it should be at least 13°c unless other laws
require lower temperatures).
Work in hot or cold environments
The risk to the health of workers increases as conditions move
further away from those generally accepted as comfortable. Risk of
heat stress arises, for example, from working in high air
temperatures, exposure to high thermal radiation or high levels of
humidity, such as those found in foundries, glass works and
laundries. Cold stress may arise, for example, from working in cold
stores, food preparation areas and in the open air during
winter.
Assessment of the risk to workers’ health from working in either
a hot or cold environment needs to consider both personal and
environmental factors. Personal factors include body activity, the
amount and type of clothing, and duration of exposure.
Environmental factors include ambient temperature and radiant heat;
and if the work is outside, sunlight, wind velocity and the
presence of rain or snow.
Actions arising from your assessment may include:
- introducing engineering measures to control the thermal effects
in a workplace environment, for example heat effects, may involve
insulating any plant which acts as a radiant heat source, thereby
improving air movement, increasing ventilation rates and
maintaining the appropriate level of humidity. The radiant heat
effects of the sun on indoor environments can be addressed either
by orientating the building so that it doesn’t suffer from the
effects of solar loading, or where this is not possible, by the use
of blinds or shutters on windows. Where workers are exposed to cold
and it is not reasonably practicable to avoid exposure you should
consider, for example, using cab heaters in fork-lift trucks in
cold stores;
- restriction of exposure by, for example, re-organising tasks to
build in rest periods or other breaks from work. This will allow
workers to rest in an area where the environment is comfortable
and, if necessary, to replace bodily fluids to combat dehydration
or cold. If work rates cause excessive sweating, workers may need
more frequent rest breaks and a facility for changing into dry
clothing;
- medical pre-selection of employees to ensure that they are fit
to work in these environments;
- use of suitable personal protective clothing (which may need to
be heat resistant or insulating, depending on whether the risk is
from heat or cold);
- acclimatisation of workers to the environment in which they
work, particularly for hot environments;
- training in the precautions to be taken; and
- supervision, to ensure that the precautions identified by the
assessment are taken.
Further advice on thermal comfort in the workplace can be found
on HSE’s website at: ww.hse.gov.uk/ temperature/ thermal.
Lighting
Lighting should be sufficient to enable people to work and move
about safely. If necessary, local lighting should be provided at
individual workstations and at places of particular risk such as
crossing points on traffic routes. Lighting and light fittings
should not create any hazard.
Automatic emergency lighting, powered by an independent source,
should be provided where sudden loss of light would create a
risk.
Cleanliness and waste materials
Every workplace and the furniture, furnishings and fittings
should be kept clean and it should be possible to keep the surfaces
of floors, walls and ceilings clean. Cleaning and the removal of
waste should be carried out as necessary by an effective method.
Waste should be stored in suitable receptacles.
Room dimensions and space
Workrooms should have enough free space to allow people to move
about with ease. The volume of the room when empty, divided by the
number of people normally working in it, should be at least 11
cubic metres. All or part of a room over 3.0 m high should be
counted as 3.0 m high. 11 cubic metres per person is a minimum and
may be insufficient depending on the layout, contents and the
nature of the work
Workstations and seating
Workstations should be suitable for the people using them and
for the work they do. People should be able to leave workstations
swiftly in an emergency. If work can or must be done sitting, seats
which are suitable for the people using them and for the work they
do should be provided. Seating should give adequate support for the
lower back, and footrests should be provided for workers who cannot
place their feet flat on the floor.
Safety
Maintenance
The workplace, and certain equipment, devices and systems should
be maintained in efficient working order (efficient for health,
safety and welfare). Such maintenance is required for mechanical
ventilation systems; equipment and devices which would cause a risk
to health, safety or welfare if a fault occurred; and equipment and
devices intended to prevent or reduce hazard.
The condition of the buildings needs to be monitored to ensure
that they have appropriate stability and solidity for their use.
This includes risks from the normal running of the work process
(eg. vibration, floor loadings) and foreseeable risks (eg. fire in
a cylinder store).
Floors and traffic routes
‘Traffic route’ means a route for pedestrian traffic, vehicles,
or both, and includes any stairs, fixed ladder, doorway, gateway,
loading bay or ramp.
There should be sufficient traffic routes, of sufficient width
and headroom, to allow people and vehicles to circulate safely with
ease.
Horizontal swinging barriers used as gates at car park or
similar entrances should be locked open or locked shut (preferably
by padlock) so that they do not swing open and constitute a risk to
oncoming vehicles. This guidance also relates to duties under the
requirements of the Regulations covering doors and gates.
To allow people and vehicles to move safely, the best approach
is to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart by ensuring that they use
entirely separate routes. If people and vehicles have to share a
traffic route, use kerbs, barriers or clear markings to designate a
safe walkway and, where pedestrians need to cross a vehicle route,
provide clearly marked crossing points with good visibility,
bridges or subways. Make sure the shared route is well lit.
It is often difficult for drivers to see behind their vehicle
when they are reversing; as far as possible, plan traffic routes so
that drivers do not need to reverse. This can be achieved by using
one-way systems and drive-through loading areas.
Set appropriate speed limits, and make sure they, and any other
traffic rules, are obeyed. Provide route markings and signs so that
drivers and pedestrians know where to go and what rules apply to
their route, so they are warned of any potential hazards.
Loading bays should have at least one exit point from the lower
level, or a refuge should be provided to avoid people being struck
or crushed by vehicles.
Where a load is tipped into a pit or similar place, and the
vehicle is liable to fall into it, barriers or portable wheel stops
should be provided at the end of the traffic route.
Floors and traffic routes should be sound and strong enough for
the loads placed on them and the traffic expected to use them. The
surfaces should not have holes or be uneven or slippery, and should
be kept free of obstructions and from any article or substance
which may cause a person to slip, trip or fall.
Criteria for defects such as subsidence, unevenness, pot holes,
collection of surface water, cracks and ruts should be determined
and set, and maintenance systems developed to undertake repair when
these limits are exceeded.
Open sides of staircases should be fenced with an upper rail at
900 mm or higher, and a lower rail. A handrail should be provided
on at least one side of every staircase, and on both sides if there
is a particular risk. Additional handrails may be required down the
centre of wide staircases. Access between floors should not be by
ladders or steep stairs.
Falls into dangerous substances
The consequences of falling into dangerous substances are so
serious that a high standard of protection is required. Dangerous
substances in tanks, pits or other structures should be securely
fenced or covered. Traffic routes associated with them should also
be securely fenced.
Duties to prevent falls from height in general are covered by
the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Transparent or translucent doors, gates or walls and
windows
Windows, transparent or translucent surfaces in walls,
partitions, doors and gates should, where necessary for reasons of
health and safety, be made of safety material or be protected
against breakage. If there is a danger of people coming into
contact with it, it should be marked or incorporate features to
make it apparent.
Employers will need to consider whether there is a foreseeable
risk of people coming into contact with glazing and being hurt. If
this is the case, the glazing will need to meet the requirements of
the Regulations.
Windows
Openable windows, skylights and ventilators should be capable of
being opened, closed or adjusted
safely and, when open, should not pose any undue risk to
anyone.
Windows and skylights should be designed so that they may be
cleaned safely. When considering if they can be cleaned safely,
account may be taken of equipment used in conjunction with the
window or skylight or of devices fitted to the building.
Doors and gates
Doors and gates should be suitably constructed and fitted with
safety devices if necessary.
Doors and gates which swing both ways and conventionally hinged
doors on main traffic routes should have a transparent viewing
panel.
Power-operated doors and gates should have safety features to
prevent people being struck or trapped and, where necessary, should
have a readily identifiable and accessible control switch or device
so that they can be stopped quickly in an emergency.
Upward-opening doors or gates need to be fitted with an
effective device to prevent them falling back. Provided that they
are properly maintained, counterbalance springs and similar
counterbalance or ratchet devices to hold them in the open position
are acceptable. Powered vertical opening doors that are powerful
enough to lift an adult or child should be fitted with measures to
prevent this.
Escalators and moving walkways
Escalators and moving walkways should function safely, be
equipped with any necessary safety devices, and be fitted with one
or more emergency stop controls which are easily identifiable and
readily accessible.
Welfare
Sanitary conveniences and washing
facilities
Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing
facilities should be provided at readily accessible places. They
and the rooms containing them should be kept clean and be
adequately ventilated and lit. Washing facilities should have
running hot and cold or warm water, soap and clean towels or other
means of cleaning or drying. If required by the type of work,
showers should also be provided. Men and women should have separate
facilities unless each facility is in a separate room with a
lockable door and is for use by only one person at a time.
Drinking water
An adequate supply of high-quality drinking water, with an
upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided. Water
should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers where it
cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply. The containers
should be refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water
dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for
refilling). Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be
provided as a secondary source of drinking water. Drinking water
does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of
people drinking non-drinking water.
Accommodation for clothing and facilities for
changing
Adequate, suitable and secure space should be provided to store
workers’ own clothing and special clothing. As far as is reasonably
practicable the facilities should allow for drying clothing.
Changing facilities should also be provided for workers who change
into special work clothing. The facilities should be readily
accessible from workrooms and washing and eating facilities, and
should ensure the privacy of the user, be of sufficient capacity,
and be provided with seating.
Facilities for rest and to eat meals
Suitable and sufficient, readily accessible rest facilities
should be provided.
Seats should be provided for workers to use during breaks. These
should be in a place where personal protective equipment need not
be worn. Rest areas or rooms should be large enough and have
sufficient seats with backrests and tables for the number of
workers likely to use them at any one time, including suitable
access and seating which is adequate for the number of disabled
people at work.
Where workers regularly eat meals at work, suitable and
sufficient facilities should be provided for the purpose. Such
facilities should also be provided where food would otherwise be
likely to be contaminated.
Work areas can be counted as rest areas and as eating
facilities, provided they are adequately clean and there is a
suitable surface on which to place food.
Where provided, eating facilities should include a facility for
preparing or obtaining a hot drink. Where hot food cannot be
obtained in or reasonably near to the workplace, workers may need
to be provided with a means for heating their own food (eg
microwave oven).
Canteens or restaurants may be used as rest facilities provided
there is no obligation to purchase food.
Suitable rest facilities should be provided for pregnant women
and nursing mothers. They should be near to sanitary facilities
and, where necessary, include the facility to lie down.
From 1 July 2007, it has been against the law to smoke in
virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England,
including most work vehicles. Similar legislation exists in
Scotland and Wales. Further information is available at:
http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/.
Contact Environmental Health
E-mail: envhealth@dover.gov.uk
