Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Quick Reference Cheat Sheet for Employers and Managers

What Are These Regulations?

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 set minimum standards for the physical conditions of almost all workplaces in Great Britain. They implement the European Workplace Directive and sit under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Enforced by: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.

Applies to: Most workplaces, including offices, factories, shops, schools, hospitals, and outdoor sites. (Construction sites, ships, and extractive industries have separate provisions.)

Key principle: Employers must maintain their workplace in a condition that does not expose workers to health or safety risks.

Came into force: 1 January 1993. Updated guidance issued by the HSE (L24 - Workplace health, safety and welfare).

Who Is Covered?

Person / Situation	Covered?
Employees working in a fixed workplace (office, factory, shop)	Yes
Mobile workers visiting clients or travelling between sites	Yes, for any base workplace they report to
Homeworkers working from their own home	Generally no, but risk assessment duties still apply under the Management Regulations
Construction sites	No, covered by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Self-employed persons with no employees	Not directly, but a duty of care remains under the HSWA
Visitors, contractors, and members of the public on the premises	Yes, employers must ensure the workplace is safe for all

Regulation 5: Maintenance of Workplace and Equipment

Employer duties:

• The workplace, and all equipment, devices, and systems within it, must be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.

• Where a system is provided for health, safety, or welfare purposes (e.g. ventilation, emergency lighting), it must be subject to a suitable system of maintenance.

• Keep records of inspections, repairs, and servicing where appropriate.

This includes: heating systems, ventilation, lighting, welfare facilities, floors, walkways, windows, doors, escalators, and lifts.

Regulations 6 to 8: Ventilation, Temperature and Lighting

Requirement	Minimum Standard	Practical Guidance
Ventilation (Reg 6)	Effective and suitable ventilation from a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air.	Natural or mechanical ventilation. Warning device required if mechanical ventilation breaks down. Stale, hot, or humid air must be removed.
Temperature - offices and indoor workplaces (Reg 7)	Reasonable temperature. Guidance: at least 16°C for sedentary or light work, at least 13°C for physical work.	Thermometers must be available. No maximum is set in law, but employers must still take reasonable steps to reduce excessive heat.
Temperature - outdoor / process work (Reg 7)	Where it is not reasonably practicable to maintain a set temperature, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities must be provided.	Consider radiant heaters, rest areas, hydration stations, and appropriate PPE as control measures.
Lighting (Reg 8)	Suitable and sufficient lighting, natural where reasonably practicable.	Emergency lighting required in areas where a power failure could cause danger. Replace defective lighting promptly.

Regulations 9 to 11: Cleanliness, Space and Workstations

Regulation	Requirement
Cleanliness (Reg 9)	Workplace, furniture, furnishings, and fittings must be kept sufficiently clean. Surfaces should be capable of being cleaned. Waste should not be allowed to accumulate.
Room dimensions and space (Reg 10)	Each person must have at least 11 cubic metres of space (calculated from floor level up to 3 metres). Workrooms must have sufficient floor area, height, and unoccupied space.
Workstations and seating (Reg 11)	Workstations must be suitable for the worker and the work being carried out. Seating must provide adequate support. A footrest must be provided if needed. Workstations used outdoors must be sheltered where reasonably practicable.

Note on room space: The 11 cubic metre figure is a minimum. High ceilings above 3 metres do not count towards the calculation. Furniture, equipment, and machinery reduce the effective space available.

Regulations 12 to 17: Floors, Traffic Routes, Doors and Windows

Regulation	Key Requirements
Condition of floors and traffic routes (Reg 12)	Floors and traffic routes must be suitable for their purpose, free from holes, slopes, or uneven or slippery surfaces that could cause a person to slip, trip, or fall. Effective drainage where necessary. Handrails on stairs where there is a risk. Keep walkways clear and free from obstruction.
Falls and falling objects (Reg 13)	Suitable and sufficient measures to prevent falls from height or being struck by falling objects. Fencing or covers for holes, tanks, pits, and edges. Where not reasonably practicable to prevent falls, suitable equipment (e.g. safety nets, fall arrest) must be in place.
Windows and transparent surfaces (Reg 14)	Transparent or translucent surfaces (glazing, doors, partitions) must be made of safety material or be adequately protected against breakage. Mark transparent doors and partitions at an appropriate height to make them apparent.
Windows, skylights, and ventilators (Reg 15)	Must be capable of being opened, closed, and adjusted safely. Must not be positioned to expose persons to risk when open.
Ability to clean windows safely (Reg 16)	Windows and skylights must be designed or equipped so they can be cleaned safely (e.g. suitable anchor points, access equipment).
Organisation of traffic routes (Reg 17)	Traffic routes for vehicles and pedestrians must be organised so that people can circulate safely. Separate routes for vehicles and pedestrians where necessary. Adequate width for routes to be used safely.

Regulations 18 to 19: Doors, Gates, and Escalators

Doors and gates (Reg 18):

• Sliding doors must have a device to prevent them coming off their tracks.

• Upward-opening doors must have a device to prevent falling.

• Powered doors must have safety features to prevent trapping.

• Doors on traffic routes must be capable of being seen through (vision panels) or have another means to prevent collision.

• Fire doors must not be obstructed or wedged open.

Escalators and moving walkways (Reg 19):

• Must function safely.

• Must be equipped with any necessary safety devices.

• Must be fitted with at least one easily identifiable and readily accessible emergency stop control.

Regulations 20 to 21: Sanitary Conveniences and Washing Facilities

Number of People at Work	Minimum WC Provision
1 to 5	1 WC and 1 washbasin
6 to 25	2 WCs and 2 washbasins
26 to 50	3 WCs and 3 washbasins
51 to 75	4 WCs and 4 washbasins
76 to 100	5 WCs and 5 washbasins

Requirements for all sanitary and washing facilities:

• Kept clean and in good repair at all times.

• Adequate ventilation and lighting provided.

• Sufficient hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap, and means of drying (towels or dryers).

• Separate facilities for men and women where they share the same facilities (unless each facility is in its own lockable room).

• Showers must be provided where work is strenuous, dirty, or involves exposure to hazardous substances.

Regulation 22: Drinking Water

Employers must provide:

• An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water for all persons at work.

• Water should be readily accessible at suitable places.

• Cups or other drinking vessels must be provided, unless the supply is from a water fountain.

• Drinking water points must be marked as such unless it is obvious they are for drinking.

• Non-drinking water supplies (e.g. for cleaning) must be clearly marked as not suitable for drinking.

Regulations 23 to 25: Accommodation, Changing Facilities, and Rest

Requirement	Detail
Accommodation for clothing (Reg 23)	Suitable and secure accommodation must be provided for clothing not worn at work and for special work clothing (e.g. overalls, PPE). Drying facilities where clothing may get wet.
Changing facilities (Reg 24)	Suitable changing facilities must be provided where workers must wear special clothing and where they cannot be expected to change elsewhere. Separate facilities for men and women.
Rest facilities (Reg 25)	Suitable and sufficient rest facilities at readily accessible places. Rest rooms or rest areas must include: suitable arrangements for pregnant women and nursing mothers to rest, protection from tobacco smoke, and suitable facilities for eating meals where food is regularly eaten at the workplace.
Facilities for eating meals (Reg 25)	Where meals are regularly eaten at work, a suitable area must be provided. Canteens and dining rooms satisfy this requirement. Facilities must include a means of heating food where hot food cannot be obtained nearby.

Workplace Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist to carry out a quick audit of your workplace against the Regulations:

Done?	Action
[ ]	Workplace and all equipment is maintained in efficient working order and good repair.
[ ]	A maintenance schedule or system is in place and records are kept.
[ ]	Adequate ventilation is provided; mechanical ventilation systems have a breakdown warning device.
[ ]	Temperature is at least 16°C for sedentary/light work (13°C for physical work); thermometers are available.
[ ]	Steps are taken to manage excessive heat in warm environments.
[ ]	Lighting is suitable and sufficient; emergency lighting is in place where required.
[ ]	Workplace is kept clean; waste does not accumulate; surfaces are capable of being cleaned.
[ ]	Each worker has at least 11 cubic metres of space in their workroom.
[ ]	Workstations are suitable for the work and the individual worker; seating provides adequate support.
[ ]	Floors and walkways are in good condition, free from obstruction, slipping, and tripping hazards.
[ ]	Handrails are in place on staircases where required.
[ ]	Measures in place to prevent falls from height and falling objects.
[ ]	Transparent and glass doors, partitions, and windows are marked and made of safety material.
[ ]	Pedestrian and vehicle traffic routes are clearly defined and adequately wide.
[ ]	Doors, gates, and escalators are fitted with appropriate safety devices.
[ ]	Sufficient sanitary conveniences and wash basins provided for the number of workers.
[ ]	Sanitary and washing facilities are clean, well-lit, ventilated, and stocked with soap and drying facilities.
[ ]	An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water is available with clean drinking vessels.
[ ]	Secure accommodation provided for work clothing and personal clothing.
[ ]	Changing facilities provided where special work clothing is required (separate for men and women).
[ ]	Suitable rest facilities are available; arrangements made for pregnant workers and nursing mothers.
[ ]	Facilities available for eating meals where food is regularly consumed on site.

Useful References and Resources

Resource	Details
HSE Approved Code of Practice (L24)	Workplace health, safety and welfare - ACOP. Available at hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l24.pdf
HSE Guidance on Temperature	hse.gov.uk/temperature
HSE Guidance on Lighting	hse.gov.uk/lighting
HSE Guidance on Slips and Trips	hse.gov.uk/slips
HSE Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare	hse.gov.uk/workplace-health-safety-welfare
Infoline	0300 003 1647 (Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm)

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Disclaimer

The information in this document is intended for general guidance only and does not constitute professional legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Health and safety law is subject to change and may vary depending on your specific industry, workplace, and circumstances. Always consult a qualified health and safety professional or legal adviser for advice specific to your organisation.