General Provisions

General Workplace Regulations The Workplace Regulations provide for workplace standards. The standards cover the design, layout and features of the workplace. They prescribe facilities for the welfare of employees. The current workplace regulations replace regulations first introduced in 1993.… Read the rest

Building Regulations Some of the Workplace Regulations replicate building regulation standards.  Building Regulations apply to new buildings and where there is any construction, alteration or a material change of use of an existing building. The Building Regulations specify building standards on a number of levels from standards of construction to minimum facilities.… Read the rest

Food and Drink An adequate supply of drinking water must be provided and maintained at suitable points, conveniently accessible for employees. Suitable and adequate facilities for boiling water and taking meals must be provided and maintained.… Read the rest

Duties to Employees Most duties under health safety and welfare legislation are owed to employees. An employee is defined as a person who has entered into or works under  a contract of employment. It includes a fixed-term employee and a temporary employee.… Read the rest

Duties of Provider of Articles A person who designs manufactures, imports or supplies any article for use at work shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the article is designed and constructed so as to be safe and without risk to health when properly used by a person at a place of work.… Read the rest

Smoking Ban The smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in almost all places of work. It covers most indoor places of work.  Prior to the general smoking ban, there were wide-ranging bans on smoking in the workplace.… Read the rest

Risk Assessment I Employers have an obligation to have systems to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees while at work. A risk assessment must be undertaken and acted on. A written safety statement must be prepared and made available.… Read the rest

Overview of Health Surveillance I The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act obliges employers to review periodically, employees’ health so that any adverse changes in their health, that may be related to working conditions are identified as soon as possible.… Read the rest

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding The employer’s health, safety and welfare obligations in respect of pregnant employees are subject to pregnancy being notified. Where an employee notifies her pregnancy, certain obligations apply.   A medical certificate is desirable.  The obligations are in addition to those that apply under employment and other health safety and welfare at work legislation.… Read the rest

Overview of Health Surveillance I The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act obliges employers to review periodically, employees’ health so that any adverse changes in their health, that may be related to working conditions are identified as soon as possible.… Read the rest