Health and Safety

6. Employee Welfare

6.1 You must provide enough clean, working toilets.

• Hot and cold water, soap and towels or a hand dryer must be available.
• Mixed facilities are allowed, provided they are enclosed and lockable from the inside.

6.2 You must provide mains or bottled drinking water.

6.3 Working areas should be cleaned regularly.

• Waste should be removed and safely stored.

6.4 The temperature should be comfortable.

• Recommended levels are at least 16ºC where people are sedentary and at least 13ºC where people are active.
• If the temperature must be lower, employees should not be exposed for long and they should be given suitable clothing.
• Thermometers should be available.

6.5 Adequate lighting is a requirement for both employee welfare and health and safety.

6.6 The workplace should provide enough space and ventilation.

• Recommendations are that employees should have at least 11 cubic metres per person (not counting space more than three metres above the floor).
• If your windows do not provide sufficient ventilation, a mechanical ventilation system may be required.

6.7 You must provide employees with an appropriate rest area, depending on your circumstances.

• Employees who do physically demanding work usually need one.
• Employees who wear special clothing usually need a changing area. Even in a normal office, there must be a place to hang and dry wet clothing.
• If the workplace is not suitable for eating in, provide an eating area.
• Implement a smoking policy. By summer 2007, a ban on smoking in all commercial and public places will be introduced.
• Pregnant women and new mothers must be given access to rest facilities.