3.1 Workplace Facilities
Temperature
Guidelines for minimum working temperatures is set out by legislation states that not only should the minimum temperature of any workplace be 16 degrees C.(61 degree F.) after the first hour of work, but also prohibits, methods of heating which are likely to cause injurious or offensive fumes.
Effective provision should be made for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature in every room of a premises to which legislation applies, being a room in which persons are employed to work other than for short periods. In addition no method shall be used which results in the escape into the air of any such room fumes of such a character and to such an extent as to be likely to be injurious or offensive to persons working therein.
Where a substantial proportion of the work done in a room to which the foregoing subsection applies, does not involve severe physical effort, a temperature of less than 16 degrees Celsius shall not be deemed, after the first hour, to be a reasonable temperature while work is going on.
The Foregoing Does Not Apply To A Room Which Constitutes:
- Office premises being a room to which members of the public are invited to resort where the maintenance of a reasonable temperature is not reasonably practicable; or;
- a shop being a room in which the maintenance of a reasonable temperature is not reasonably practicable or would cause deterioration of goods.
Water Facilities
Employers are obliged by law to provide washing facilities at places conveniently accessible to the staff employed to work in the premises, suitable and sufficient washing facilities including a supply of clean running hot water and cold or warm water, in addition to soap and clean towels or other suitable means of cleaning or drying.
Every place where facilities are provided as per the above, shall be provided with effective means of lighting and be kept clean and in orderly condition. All apparatus provided for the purpose of washing or drying shall be kept clean and properly maintained.
Supply Of Drinking Water
There shall be provided and maintained at suitable places conveniently accessible to the persons employed to work in the premises, an adequate supply of whole-some drinking water.
Where a supply of water is provided that is not piped from a rising main, it must be provided in suitable vessels and all practicable steps be taken to preserve it and the vessels in which it is contained from contamination. There should also be provided a supply of drinking vessels of a kind designed to be discarded after use.
Sanitary Facilities
All toilets should be clearly indicated by an appropriate sign. "Unisex" toilets are acceptable, so long as the available facilities are sufficient for those using them. The ration of the number of water closets required to the number of employees is set out in the appropriate regulations, as is the requirement for appropriate facilities for the disposal of sanitary dressings where women use the toilet.
Ventilation and lighting must also be adequate and the floor and wall surfaces of such a material that enables easy cleaning.
Accommodation For Employees Clothing
There Shall Be:
- made available suitable and sufficient provisions for the storage of clothing (not worn during working hours) to be hung up or otherwise accommodated; and
- a facility as is "reasonably practicable" for drying clothing.
Revised December 1999