KNOW YOUR OBLIGATIONS
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The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which fall under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, are designed to ensure minimum acceptable workplace standards in a number of areas including workplace cleanliness, ventilation, temperature, lighting, space, and washing facilities.
Firms and individuals who breach the regulations could be prosecuted, leading to conviction and fines of up to £20,000 and/or 12 months' imprisonment in a lower court; and unlimited fines and/or up to two years' imprisonment in a higher court.
Civil actions for damages of the kind described above may also be brought by employees, though direct civil liability may be removed this October when the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 takes effect.
The HSE has published an approved code of practice on the regulations outlining the legal requirements and providing advice on how to meet them. It can be found at hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/I24.pdf.