Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Module 8

Employer or building occupier Responsibility To: Protect everyone in the workplace Provide welfare facilities Establish a health and safety culture Plan for health and safety

The workplace Premises’ structure and design: Fit for purpose Materials must meet legal requirements Take into account tasks carried out Sufficient floor area Traffic routes clearly laid out and signposted Separate vehicles and pedestrians

The workplace Ventilation: Must be provided in every room Preferably by opening windows

The workplace Temperature: ‘Reasonable’ during working hours At least 16oC (13oC for physical effort) Risk assess if excessive heat or cold

The workplace Lighting – ‘Suitable and sufficient’ Maintain safety and reduce eye strain Provided by natural source if practical Emergency lighting

The workplace Work stations Designed to be safe and comfortable Controls within easy reach

The workplace Floors must be constructed and maintained in order to prevent slips, trips and falls Must have: No holes No excessive slopes There must be arrangements for snow and ice

The workplace Doors Suitably constructed Function safely Viewing panels Windows Constructed and positioned to prevent falls Provisions for cleaning

The workplace Storage and racking Design and layout Regular checks Safe working loads Defect reporting Clean and tidy storage areas Access to goods at height Teamwork when stacking

What welfare facilities should be provided in the workplace? Toilets Washing facilities Provision for disabled Drinking water Facilities to eat meals Storage of clothing Changing facilities Pregnant and/or nursing mothers.

Maintaining safety in the workplace Safety representatives and worker involvement in the workplace: Review the control measures taken to protect employees Review all facilities provided Suggest safer alternatives Hazard spotting and risk assessment Continuous improvement

Safety signs Safety signs Communicate instructions Kept in good condition Displayed in a suitable position Colour and shape identify the meaning Understandable to non English speaking people

Categories of safety signs RED Prohibition YELLOW Warning BLUE Mandatory GREEN Safe condition/ information.

Prohibition signage

Warning signage

Mandatory signage

Safe condition / safety information signage