H&S Made Simple – Step 6 – Provide the right facilities
So you have followed steps 1 to 5, but what's next? Step 6 is all about ensuring that as an employer you have provided the correct facilities for everyone in the work place, including those with disabilities, in order to protect their health, safety and wellbeing. Workplaces must be suitable for all those who work in them, which means looking at issues such as space, cleanliness, lighting, ventilation and adequate toilet, washing and changing facilities.
To some extent the level of welfare provision required depends on the number of employees you have and the type of business you operate but here are a few basic things for everyone to consider:
Welfare facilities
For your employees' well-being you need to provide:
toilets and hand basins, with soap and towels/hand-dryer
drinking water
a place to store clothing (and potentially somewhere to change)
somewhere to take breaks and eat
Health issues
To have a healthy working environment, make sure there is:
adequate ventilation – either clean air drawn in from outside or a ventilation system
a reasonable working temperature (see here for more information)
suitable lighting for the job
appropriate space, work stations and seating for the tasks
a clean workplace with appropriate waste containers
Safety issues
To keep your workplace safe you must:
properly maintain your premises and work equipment
keep floors and traffic routes free from obstruction
have windows that can be opened and cleaned
make sure that any transparent doors are protected or made of safety material
For any further guidance the HSE have more information on their website, or if in doubt please contact us here.
