Healthy workplace self assessment
How healthy is your workplace?
Health and safety is vital in
a workplace and can protect and even improve the health of it's employees.
The UK's health and safety
laws cover everything from the lighting, temperature and ventilation of a
workplace, to the provision of first aid facilities.
So how does your workplace
rate? Answer the following questions to find out and use the tips in italics to
create a list of issues to raise with your employer.
QUESTIONS
1.
Let's start with your work area. Is there sufficient space to work comfortably?
a)Yes, I have plenty of room (5
points)
b)No, my work area is tiny
and cramped (0 points)
Your work area could be improved
c)It's OK but could be improved
(2 points)
Your work area could be improved
More
on working space
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that employees need
adequate working space to carry out the tasks they are responsible for. This
means you need sufficient space to move about the work area and to access your
work station safely. You also need sufficient space to store work equipment
including files and documents that you need to use for your work. For more
detailed information, see useful links at the end of this tool.
2.
A workplace shouldn’t be cooler than 16C, how would
you rate the temperature and ventilation in your workplace?
a)Just right (5 points)
b)Too hot and stuffy (0 points)
The temperature needs addressing
c)Changeable and unpredictable (2
points)
The temperature needs addressing
d)Cold and draughty (0 points)
The temperature needs addressing
More on workplace temperature
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations
1992 state that: 'During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces
inside buildings shall be reasonable.'
However,
this depends on the type of workplace and whether it is a bakery, a cold store,
an office or a warehouse. For more detailed information relevant to your
workplace, see useful links at the end of this tool.
3.
How would you rate the lighting in the workplace?
a)Just right (5 points)
b)Overly bright (0 points)
The lighting needs adjustment
c)Too dark (0 points)
The lighting needs adjustment
More
on lighting
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 recognises
that different levels
of lighting are required for different types of work – close, accurate work
such as soldering a control panel will require higher light levels than walking
down a corridor. However, a number of different factors need to be considered
such as colour, contrast, glare and so on. For more
detailed information on what is appropriate for your workplace, see useful
links at the end of this tool.
4.
Which of the following can you control? You can pick one or more
a)Heating (2 points)
Request a
health and safety assessment
b)Lighting (2 points)
Request a
health and safety assessment
c)Ventilation (2 points)
Request a
health and safety assessment
d)Chair height (2 points)
Request a
health and safety assessment
e)None of these (0 points)
Request a
health and safety assessment
5.
How often are working areas cleaned and waste removed?
a)Daily (5 points)
b)
Weekly (2
points)
c)Monthly (0 points)
Cleaning and waste collection could be
better
d)Never (0 points)
Cleaning and waste collection could be
better
More
on cleanliness
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state
that every workplace and the furniture, furnishings and fittings should be kept
clean as well as the surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings. Cleaning and the
removal of waste should be carried out as necessary and waste should be stored
in suitable containers.
6.
Does your canteen offer a range of healthy food?
a)Yes, there's a good choice and
signs to show which foods are the most healthy (5 points)
b)The range is good but there's
no info on which foods are healthy. (2 points)
c)The food on offer is never
very healthy and the choice is limited (0 points)
d)There isn't a canteen (0 points)
7.
Is there is a supply of easily accessible drinking water or water coolers?
a)
Yes (5 points)
b)No (0 points)
The need for drinking water to be
provided
c)
Don't know (0 points)
The need for drinking water to be
provided
More on drinking water
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state
that an adequate supply of high-quality drinking water, with an upward drinking
jet or suitable cups, should be provided. If water cannot be obtained from a
tap, water should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers. The
containers should be refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water
dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling).
8.Are
the toilets clean and in good working order?
a)Very clean and checked
regularly (5 points)
b)
Moderately clean but could be checked more often (2 points)
The toilets could be cleaned more
regularly
c)
Not very clean and rarely checked (0 points)
The toilets could be cleaned more
regularly
d)
Really dirty and never checked or cleaned (0 points)
The toilets could be cleaned more
regularly
More
on toilets
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state
that sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be kept clean and be
adequately ventilated and lit. Washing facilities should have running hot and
cold or warm water, soap and clean towels or other means of cleaning or drying.
If required by the type of work, showers should also be provided.
9.Does
your workplace have a gym?
a)Yes (5 points)
b)
No, but we have access to subsidised gym membership
(5 points)
c)
No, nothing like that (0
points)
d)
Don't know (0 points)
10.
Does your workplace have a ‘rest’ or seating area for use during breaks?
a)Yes, we have a seated area and
a private room if we need to lie down (5 points)
b)Yes, we use the canteen for
breaks (5 points)
c)No, there is no separate area
for us to use during our breaks (0 points)
A rest area for breaks is needed
More
on rest areas
The Workplace (Health,
Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that suitable and sufficient,
readily accessible rest facilities should be provided. Seats should be provided
for workers to use during breaks and should be in a place where personal
protective equipment need not be worn. Rest areas or rooms should be large
enough and have sufficient seats with backrests and tables for the number of
workers likely to use them at any one time, including suitable access and
seating which is adequate for the number of disabled people at work.
11.
Which of the following does your employer offer? Pick one or more.
a)Arranges health-related events (2
points)
b)Arranges individual health checks. (2
points)
c)Promotes mental wellbeing
at work. (2 points)
d)
Provides access to counselling. (2 points)
e)
None of these. (0 points)
12.
If there’s an accident at work are there adequate first aid facilities?
a)Yes, there’s a first aid kit
and trained first aid person (5 points)
b)There's a first aid kit but not
sure about a trained first aider (2 points)
The need for a first aid kit and a
first aider
c)
I'm not sure if we have a first aid kit (0 points)
The need for a first aid kit and a
first aider
d)
There is definitely no first aid kit or first aider (0 points)
The need for a first aid kit and a
first aider
What
is adequate?
The Health and
Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and
appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and people so employees can be
given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work.
The minimum first-aid
provision on any work site is:
·
a suitably stocked
first-aid box
·
an appointed
person to take charge of first-aid arrangements
·
information for
employees about first-aid arrangements
ANSWERS
Less
than 25
Based on your responses today your
workplace scored poorly and you are not satisfied with your working
environment. Employers have a legal responsibility to look after health
and safety at work together.
Make a list of the issues in
italics, after your responses, and raise them with your employer.
25-39
Based on your
responses today it sounds like your workplace could be improved.
Both employers and employees should be aware of issues that affect their health
and safety at work. Workers who contribute to health and safety at work are
safer and healthier than those who don't.
Make a list of the issues in
italics, after your responses, and raise them with your employer.
40
or more
Based on your responses today it appears that you work in a healthy
environment. A safe and comfortable working environment helps improve employee
satisfaction and boost productivity.
Useful links
Here
are some links to further information on health and safety at work.
Guidance
for workers from the Health and Safety executive
Read
about boosting your health at work
Video
on getting more out of work
NHS Choices 2011