Page 268 - IGC BOOK

Health, Welfare and Work Environment Requirements 8.1

Health and Welfare

Welfare Provision

Welfare facilities are basic needs, which are necessary for the well-being of employees,
such as washing, toilet, rest and changing facilities, and a hygiene place to eat and drink.
The employer is responsible to provide adequate welfare facilities for the employees while
they are at work.
Working environment refers to physical conditions at work. It includes workspace,
temperature, ventilation, lighting, etc.

The workplace welfare provision requirements are subject to legal standards, for example
the workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

The regulations look particularly at:

- Access and egress
- Traffic systems
- Internal layout and Space
- Hygiene and waste disposal

Similarly, in India, the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996, Chapter VI
Hours of Work, Welfare Measures and Other Conditions of Service of Building
Workers, establishes standards for constructions sites in India.

Drinking water

Adequate supply of drinking water should be made available to the workers, preference
should be given to the distribution of running water supply wherever possible. Wherever
this is not possible then consideration shall be given to the use of enclosed refillable
containers.

The drinking water must be labelled ‘drinking water’ or
‘not for drinking’ as appropriate.

Washing facilities

Adequate washing facilities are made available with
running hot or cold water. The washing facilities must
be in convenient locations, close to washrooms and
changing facility.

Showers are provided where the work is strenuous or
dirty or there is a risk of contamination of skin or body
from hazardous substances. e.g. chemical

ENSIGN | General Workplace Issues 1