Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Outside workstations
Outside workstations shall provide, so far as is reasonably 
practicable, protection from adverse weather; adequate 
means of escape in emergencies; and ensure that no per-
son is likely to slip or fall.
Seating
Seating shall be provided where work can or must be 
done sitting and shall be suitable for the person as well as 
the work. A footrest shall be provided where necessary.
17.32.3
Safety – Accident Prevention Regulations 
5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19
Maintenance
The workplace and equipment, devices and systems 
shall be maintained (including cleaned as appropri-
ate) in an effi cient state, effi cient working order and in 
good repair, and where appropriate subject to a system 
17.32 
W
orkplace (Health, Safety and W
elfar
e) Regulations 1992 as amended in 2002

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Summary of the main legal requirements
393
of maintenance. This generally means planned rather 
than breakdown maintenance. Systems include ventila-
tion, emergency lighting, safety fences, window cleaning 
devices, moving walkways are all given as examples.
Floors and traffi c routes
Floors and the surface of traffi c routes shall be suitably 
constructed for their intended purpose and free of slope 
and holes (unless fenced). They should not be uneven 
or slippery. The traffi c routes should be of adequate 
width and height to allow people and vehicles to cir-
culate safely with ease and they should be kept free of 
obstructions.
Additional precautions are necessary where 
pedestrians have to cross or share vehicle routes. Open 
sides of staircases should be fenced with an upper rail 
900 mm or higher and a lower rail. Loading bays should 
have exits or refuges to avoid people getting crushed by 
vehicles.