Working environment

Working environment: an introduction

Your working environment is affected by factors including health and safety, security and working hours. A poor working environment can damage your health and put your safety at risk.

Your employer is legally responsible for ensuring good working conditions, but you also have a responsibility to work safely.

Health and safety

The Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations – which became law in 1993 – lay down minimum standards for workplaces and work in or near buildings.

These regulations apply to most types of workplace, except transport, construction sites and domestic premises. Workplaces must be suitable for all who work in them, including workers with any kind of disability.

You have the right to a safe and healthy workplace which is suitable for all who work in or visit them. This means that your employer must look at issues such as space, cleanliness, lighting and ventilation and adequate toilet, washing and changing facilities.

Workplace dangers are not always obvious, but paying attention to these issues and those related to areas such as emergency lighting, suitable floors, safe traffic routes, windows and doors will help to achieve this.

Some working practices and conditions that seem harmless can even lead to serious illness.

Employers’ duties  

Employers and controllers of non-domestic premises have a general duty to make sure that the workplace meets certain conditions.

Maintenance

Make sure the workplace, equipment, devices and systems are maintained, in working order and in good repair.

Ventilation 

Make sure enclosed workplaces are ventilated and have enough fresh and purified air.

Temperature

Maintain a reasonable temperature inside the building during working hours. Enough thermometers must be provided.

Lighting

Must be suitable, efficient and natural, so far is reasonably practical. Emergency lighting must be provided where lighting failure would cause danger.

Cleanliness

Keep workplaces and furnishings clean. Waste materials must not accumulate, except in suitable containers.

Space

Make sure workrooms have enough floor area, height and unoccupied space.

Workstations

Must be suitable for the worker and work. A suitable seat must be provided where necessary.

Floors

Must be suitable and not uneven or slippery, presenting a safety risk. They must be kept free from obstructions likely to cause a slip, trip or fall. Handrails must be provided on staircases, except where they would obstruct traffic.

Falls

Take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent people falling or being struck by falling objects. Tanks must be securely covered and fenced where there is a risk of a person falling into a dangerous substance.

Windows

Make sure that windows, and transparent and translucent surfaces, consist of safe material, are clearly marked, and safe when open.

Traffic

Organise workplaces to allow safe traffic circulation by pedestrians and vehicles.

Doors

Make sure doors and gates are suitably constructed and comply with certain specifications.

Escalators

Make sure escalators function safely, are equipped with necessary safety devices and are fitted with easily identifiable and readily accessible emergency stop controls.

Toilets

Provide suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences at readily accessible places.

Washing

Provide suitable and sufficient washing facilities at readily accessible places.

Water

Provide an adequate supply of drinking water and cups, readily accessible and conspicuously marked.

Clothing

Provide suitable and sufficient accommodation for clothing, as well as changing facilities where special clothing is worn.

Restrooms

Provide suitable and sufficient rest facilities at readily accessible places. Rest rooms and areas must include suitable arrangements to protect non-smokers from discomfort. Suitable facilities must be provided for pregnant or nursing workers to rest and for workers to eat meals.

Under the law, employers must:

• decide what could harm you in your job and take precautions to stop it;
• explain how risks will be controlled and tell you who is responsible for this;
• give you the training and information you need to do your job safely;
• provide you with any equipment and protective clothing you need and ensure it is maintained;
• provide toilets, washing facilities and drinking water;
• provide first aid facilities;
• record injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents at work and report these to  the Health and Safety Executive where relevant;
• have insurance that covers you in case you get hurt at work or ill through work;
• work with anyone sharing the workplace or anyone who is providing employees (such as agency workers), so that everyone’s health and safety is protected.

Your health and safety responsibilities are to:

• follow any training you have received when using equipment or materials your employer has given you;
• take reasonable care of your own and other people’s health and safety;
• co-operate with your employer on health and safety;
• tell someone if you think the work or inadequate precautions are putting anyone’s health and safety at risk. 

Legal disclaimer 

The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.