Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)

Regulations 2007
Regulation 5: Stability and Solidity
5. An employer shall ensure that buildings which house places of work
shall have a structure and solidity appropriate to the nature of their use.
The employer must be satisfied that the floors, walls etc. of the place of work are
able to support both the weight of equipment and the pressures of additional forces
which its use imposes on the structure.
Workplace
The structure’s materials, where possible, should also be suitable for the work
undertaken so that over time it does not fail; for example, floors rotting due to
moisture or corrosion of structural steel supports. Where such risks have been
identified, ongoing periodic examination will be necessary to detect any signs of
deterioration.
In some workplaces there will be risks to the structure from impact damage caused
by moving vehicles and measures need to be taken to protect vulnerable areas and
to repair any damage before it poses a hazard to safety.
The installation of new equipment in existing buildings may require an analysis to
determine if structural changes are necessary.
If cracks occur in the structure, they need to be investigated to ascertain if there is a
risk to safety.
Regulation 6: Ventilation of enclosed places of work
6. An employer shall ensure that—
(a) sufficient fresh air is provided in enclosed places of work, having
regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed
on the employer’s employees,
In most cases the natural ventilation provided through windows and doors will be
adequate. In cases where, for instance, there are high dust levels or high
temperatures or where the workplace is isolated from the outside air, mechanical or
forced ventilation may be necessary.
The provision of natural or forced ventilation will depend on the:
• Processes, materials and substances which are liable to contaminate the
atmosphere, released heat or humidity
• Design of the building
• Volume of the workplace itself
• Number of occupants, including any animals
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