This page gives advice on welfare at work and the different ways in which it can and should be provided. You will also find details of legal duties and obligations around welfare at work, and links to further information.

Health, safety and welfare are basic requirements at work, and can be divided into four broad categories: The provision of adequate welfare arrangements is important both in terms of complying with the law, and keeping the workforce happy. People tend to perform better and be happier at their work if they are working in a safe and healthy environment.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 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 Duties are more specific under these regulations and apply to most places of work. They define a workplace not only as factories, shops and offices, but also schools, hospitals, hotels and places of entertainment, common parts of shared buildings, private roads and paths on industrial estates and business parks, and temporary worksites.

Exceptions include workplaces in construction, in or on a ship, and mines, as they are covered under more specific legislation. To view the full text of the above legislation online, please follow the links under Legislation. Workplaces need to have an adequate supply of fresh air. In many cases suitable ventilation can be achieved by opening windows and doors, but where necessary, mechanical ventilation systems should be provided and maintained to an appropriate standard. Where temperatures move from what is regarded as comfortable, the risk to the health of those individuals exposed increases.

Heat or Cold Stress may occur depending on the environment; as a result, there is a requirement to assess the risk to health. Consideration should be given to personal and environmental factors, such as duration of exposure, clothing, body activity, ambient temperatures, radiant heat, humidity and air velocity.

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 loss of lighting could pose a risk, independently powered automatic emergency lighting should be provided. Cleaning work and disposal of waste should be carried out routinely in order to maintain good standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the workplace.

Workrooms should provide enough free space to allow people to freely access work areas and move within the workplace, free from the risk of tripping or striking objects, etc.

Where space is limited, careful planning should be considered. As a general rule, each person should have a workspace of at least 11 cubic metres. This calculation could include the space taken up by their desk and chair, but should exclude larger fixed items of furniture or equipment, such as a large cupboard or photocopier which is not part of their workspace.

Workrooms, except for those where people only work for a short period, should be of sufficient height. Where height obstructions are present, they should be clearly identified usually by marking tapes or warning signs.

Footrests should be provided for individuals that cannot place their feet on the floor to provide support. An adequate supply of clean drinking water must be available.

This should normally be obtained from a tap directly from a rising main, but drinking water can be provided from a tap supplied by a storage cistern, providing this is cleaned and disinfected regularly. Where there may be confusion with non-drinking water, the drinking water source should be clearly identified. 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.

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.

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Ideally, staff facilities should be separate to those provided for the public. In smaller premises, facilities can be used by both, provided staff are not delayed by this arrangement. After the number of people exceedsan additional wash station is required for every 25 people. Washing facilities must be readily accessible, adequate in number and must be provided with both hot and cold or warm running water, soap and hand-drying facilities.

Where work is particularly strenuous, dirty or could result in contamination of the skin by a harmful offensive material e.

Suitable rest facilities should be provided for people to eat meals, etc. Where there is no on-site canteen, or facility close by where hot food can be obtained, the employer should provide facilities for heating food usually a kettle and microwave would meet these requirements.

Where necessary, the rest facilities must also be suitable for pregnant or nursing mothers, close to sanitary facilities and provide a place for a pregnant worker to lie down if required. In Scotland, it is illegal to smoke in most indoor workplaces. For more information on smoking, visit our Smoking at Work page. Adequate changing facilities are required in areas where special clothing is required for example: These areas should ensure the privacy of the user, and include facilities for secure storage of personal belongings.

Any health and safety at work act 1974 in nursing home of the workplace or equipment that could pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of staff or others, needs to be maintained in a safe condition.

Floors should be of sound construction and in good condition, free from hazards that could cause slips, trips or falls. Open-sided staircases should be protected with upper and lower rails, and health and safety at work act 1974 in nursing home staircases may require to be fitted with a handrail down the middle.

Dignity in care - Key legislation: Health and safety legislation

For more information, please see our page on Slips, Trips and Falls. Vehicle traffic routes should be wide enough and high enough to enable vehicles to move about safely. Some workplaces need to address transport management where there are vehicles such as cars, vans and large goods vehicles operating on site. For more information, please see our page on Transport and Vehicles.

Health and Safety in Care Homes CQC

Hazardous substances contained in tanks, pits and other structures, should be securely fenced or covered to prevent individuals falling into them. Transparent and translucent doors, gates, walls, windows should be clearly identified or made apparent to avoid accidental contact. In addition, they should be made of safety materials or be protected against breakage. Windows should be designed so they can be safely cleaned, preferably from inside the building or, if this is not possible, by a safe method.

Doors and gates should be suitably constructed and fitted with safety devices, such as self-closers, as required. Free guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note — all links are to external pages on the HSE website giving options to download or order these resources:.

Priced guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note — all links stock market abbreviation ottawa to external pages on the HSE website giving options to order these resources:.

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What is welfare at work? Your questions on welfare at work Legal duties and obligations around welfare at work Further information on welfare at work Working Environment: Ventilation Temperature — indoors Temperature — hot or cold environments Lighting Cleanliness and waste disposal Room dimensions and space Work stations and seating Welfare Facilities: Drinking water Sanitary facilities Washing facilities Rest and eating Changing facilities and clothing accommodation Workplace Safety: Maintenance Floors and traffic routes Vehicle traffic routes Falls and falling objects Transparent and translucent doors, gates, walls and windows Windows, doors and gates What is welfare at work?

Act The Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations Duties are more specific under these regulations and apply to most places of work. Ventilation Workplaces need to have an adequate supply of fresh air. Temperature — indoors Indoor temperatures must provide reasonable comfort during working hours.

Where employees work in hot or cold conditions, consider: Where necessary, local or task lighting should also be used. Room dimensions and space Workrooms should provide enough free space to allow people to freely access work areas and move within the workplace, free from the risk of tripping or striking objects, etc.

Heights above 3 metres should be excluded from your calculations. Where work can be done seated, suitable seats should be used. All seating should provide adequate support particularly for the lower back. Work stations should allow individuals to leave them quickly in an emergency. Drinking water An adequate supply of clean drinking water must be available.

Suitable drinking cups should be provided where required. The recommended minimum is: Up to 5 workers: For workplaces with only male workers, the minimum recommendations are: Up to 15 workers: Canteens can be used as rest facilities, providing there is no obligation to purchase food.

Maintenance Any part of the workplace or equipment that could pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of staff or others, needs to be maintained in a safe condition. You should also consider the loads they take, and any vehicles using them. Employers may also need to look at forklift, mobile cranes, traffic and pedestrians, etc.

Windows, doors and gates Windows should be designed so they can be safely cleaned, preferably from inside the building or, if this is not possible, by a safe method. Further information on welfare at work Email your query now Call our Adviceline on Free guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note — all links are to external pages on the HSE website giving options to download or order these resources: Heat Stress in the workplace GEIS1 external site Welfare at Work — guidance for employers on welfare provisions INDG external site Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare - a short guide for managers INDG external site Priced guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note — all links are to external pages on the HSE website giving options to order these resources: You may also be interested in: Related pages Welfare at Work — Your Questions Common causes of work-related illness What is Employability?

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