Essentials of a safe working environment
This checklist is to show you just some of the things that are
required to make a work place safe, healthy and to provide
reasonable welfare facilities for workers and visitors.
- provide suitable working space and work stations
- keep premises clean and avoid overcrowding
- provide suitable and sufficient lighting and
ventilation
- provide emergency lighting
- provide adequate and clean sanitary facilities
- provide wash hand basins with hot and cold water, soap, and
towel
- ensure that there are safe easy to open skylights and
windows
- supply clean and wholesome drinking water
- sedentary workers must have suitable seating
- provide adequate and clean eating facilities
- keep floors, passages and stairs clear
- fence dangerous machinery and put safety devices on
them
- provide safety signs and safety information
- supply facilities for clothing storage
- ensure the minimum workroom temperature after the first hour is
18 degrees centigrade
- remove refuse regularly
- avoid trailing wires
- send staff on proper training courses
- service machinery and equipment regularly
- provide and use personal protective equipment
- provide safe vehicle and pedestrian routes
You can get an approved code of practice entitled
'Workplace health, safety and welfare' from Health and safety executive
books. Buy a copy and put the requirements into action as
soon as possible.