Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.32.2
Health – The Working Environment 
Regulations 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Ventilation
Ventilation must be effective in enclosed areas, and any 
plant used for this purpose must incorporate warning 
devices to signal breakdowns which might endanger 
health or safety.
A reasonable temperature
A reasonable temperature must be maintained dur-
ing working hours and suffi cient thermometers must 
be provided to enable people at work to determine the 
temperature in any workroom. The temperature should 
be comfortable without the need for special clothing. 
Special guidance is available for areas like food process-
ing where it could be very hot or very cold.
Temperature should be at least 16ºC, or where 
strenuous effort is involved 13ºC.
Lighting
Lighting must be suitable and suffi cient. This should be 
natural lighting so far as is reasonably practicable.
Emergency lighting
Emergency lighting shall be provided where persons are 
especially exposed to danger if artifi cial light fails. Lights 
should avoid glare and dazzle and should not them-
selves cause a hazard. They should not be obscured 
and be properly maintained.
Workplaces, furniture and fi ttings
Workplaces furniture and fi ttings should be kept suffi -
ciently clean. Surfaces inside buildings shall be capable 
of being kept suffi ciently clean.
Floors
Floors should not be slippery and wall surfaces should 
not increase fi re risks.
Wastes
Wastes should not be allowed to accumulate, except in 
suitable receptacles and should be kept free from offen-
sive waste products and discharges.
Room dimensions
Room dimensions have to allow adequate unoccupied 
space to work in and to move freely. 11 m
3
minimum per 
person is required, excluding anything over 3 m high and 
furniture, etc.
Workstations
Workstations shall be suitable for any person in the 
workplace who is likely to work at that workstation and 
for any work that is likely to be done there.