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In the workplace, equipment should be in efficient working order and maintained to this standard. Maintenance is required for equipment, and other such apparatus, which would cause a risk to health, safety or the welfare of persons if a fault occurred. Many offices have introduced a system where all electrical equipment or appliances which could cause risk are checked before use and some have protocols dictating that no personal equipment should be used unless supplied or checked by the employer.

There should be sufficient traffic routes, of sufficient width and headroom, to allow people and vehicles to circulate safely and with ease. Traffic route is defined as routes for pedestrian traffic, vehicles, or both, and includes any stairs, fixed ladder, doorway, gateway, loading bay or ramp. As such floors and traffic routes should be sound and strong enough for the loads placed on them and the traffic expected to use them. The surfaces should not have holes, be uneven or slippery and should be kept free of obstructions.

Restrictions should be clearly indicated. Where sharp or blind bends are unavoidable or vehicles need to reverse, measures such as one-way systems and visibility mirrors should be considered. Speed limits should be set. A high standard of protection is required to ensure that falls do not occur especially since the consequences of falling from heights or into dangerous substances are so serious. To prevent falls from heights, secure fencing should  be provided. Where this is not possible then other measures must be taken. These include using limited access areas and specifying limited people to access the area.

Slips and trips which may be trivial at ground level may result in fatal accidents when on a roof. Precautions should be taken where there is a risk of falling through a roof. These may include fall-arrest devices and crawling boards. Fragile roofs or surfaces should be clearly identified, especially if a contractor is used. Storage shelving needs to be of adequate strength and stability for the loads to be placed on it. Injuries may occur in placing items on the shelves by using the wrong lifting techniques or by climbing up ladders without assistance. These can be alleviated by training and by ensuring that correct and operational equipment, and or personnel, are available.

Appropriate precautions in stacking and storing include safe stacking on sound pallets banding or wrapping to prevent individual articles falling setting limits for the height of stacks to maintain stability regular inspections of stacks to detect and remedy any unsafe stacks instruction and training of employees in stacking and special arrangements for objects which may be difficult to store.

Doors and gates should be suitably constructed and fitted with safety devices if necessary. Doors and gates which swing both ways, and conventionally hinged doors on main traffic routes should have a transparent viewing panel. Power-operated doors and gates should have safety features to prevent people being struck or trapped. Where necessary a really identifiable and accessible control switch or device to enable the door to be stopped quickly in an emergency should be fitted. Upward-opening doors or gates need to be fitted with an effective device to prevent them falling back.

Welfare

Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities must be suitable, sufficient and provided at readily accessible places. They should be kept clean, 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. An adequate supply of drinking water with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups should be provided. Water should only be provided in refillable enclosed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply.

Suitable and sufficient, readily accessible, rest facilities should be provided. These should be large enough to hold the number of people likely to use it and contain sufficient seats with backrests and tables. Work areas, if adequately clean and with a suitable surface on which to place food, can be counted as rest areas and eating facilities.

Facilities to eat meals should also be provided for employees and should include provision for preparing or obtaining a hot drink. Where hot food cannot be obtained in, or reasonably near to the workplace, workers may need to be provided with a means for heating their own food. Canteens or restaurants may be used as rest facilities provided there is no obligation to purchase food. Rest areas and rest rooms away from the workstation should include suitable arrangements to protect non-smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke.