2. What you must provide for a safe and healthy workplace
Welfare facilities
Workers must have access to:
- toilets and hand basins, with soap and towels or a hand-dryer
- drinking water
- a place to store clothing (and somewhere to change if special clothing is worn for work)
- somewhere to rest and eat meals
A healthy working environment
To have a healthy working environment, make sure there is:
- good ventilation – a supply of fresh, clean air drawn from outside or a ventilation system
- a reasonable working temperature so it's comfortable to work (usually at least 16°C, or 13°C for strenuous work, unless other laws require lower temperatures)
- lighting suitable for the work being carried out
- enough room space and suitable workstations and seating
- a clean workplace with appropriate waste containers
A safe workplace
To keep your workplace safe, you must:
- maintain your premises and work equipment
- keep floors and traffic routes free of obstructions
- have windows that can be opened and cleaned safely
- make sure that any transparent (eg glass) doors or walls are protected or made of safety material
There are specific laws relating to some higher-risk workplaces, such as construction sites. For more information, select your workplace from HSE's industries page.