5. The workplace and the working environment

This chapter covers the contents of, and the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and union guidance around implementing, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Workplace Regulations) which lay down minimum standards for workplaces, the working environment and welfare facilities. It summarises the requirements of the Workplace Regulations as well as giving additional information on accommodating breastfeeding, smoking, driving and industry-specific laws.

Key changes and developments

Unions have published new resources on protecting workers from extreme temperatures and adapting to climate change as temperatures reached record highs in the summer of 2022;

The HSE has updated its joint guidance with the DfT transport department on work-related road risk for employers and workers in response to the expansion of the gig economy and the “grey fleet” — the increasing use of personal vehicles for work purposes;

New changes to the Highway Code have introduced a “hierarchy of road users” principle. This came into force in January 2022: drivers can now get penalty points, fines and a driving ban, and new drivers could lose their licence, if they hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. The maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving has increased to 14 years in prison.