Legal duties of welfare at work
You have a duty to ensure the welfare of your employees at work. Providing a safe and healthy environment will also help to motivate your workforce.
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
This states employers and those in control of workplaces need to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who uses the premises, and the provision of welfare facilities for people at work.
You can find out more about this on the Health and Safety Executive website (external site).
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations) 1992
These explain more specific duties. These duties apply to most places of work with the exception of:
- work in or on a ship
- work at a mine below ground
- construction work on construction sites
The regulations also apply to the common parts on:
- paths
- private roads
- shared buildings
- temporary workplaces
You can download a leaflet on this from the HSE website.