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Posted By Christopher Matthews
Hi,
Can anyone tell me what as a company we are obliged to provide: We have a non-food serving staff rest area which has a microwave, hot drink machine [free vend] and a toaster.
Are we obliged to provide a small cooker?
We run a 24 hour operation if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Chris
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Posted By J Knight
Hi Christopher,
About the only thing you are required to provide is a supply of safe drinking water. The relevant law is the Workplace H&S Regs of 1992, and they really don't prescribe much other than saying that welfare facilities should be 'adequate'.
However, if you are a 24 hour operation it is certainly helpful and good sense to provide your workers with the wherewithal to make hot drinks and simple snacks to keep them going throughout the long night. A cooker might be a bit OTT though; I mean, what are they going to do with it? A microwave might be a better idea,
John
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Posted By Adrian Watson
No, you do not have to provide cooking facilities. However if you do you must maintain them in a safe and hygienic condition.
Regards Adrian Watson
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Sorry guys, Regulation 22 is drinking water, Regulation 25 of the Workplace (Health Safety & Welfare Regulations) requires the employer to "provide suitable and sufficient facilities for rest and to eat meals".
What is suitable and sufficient will depend on several factors, not least the number of employees on shift, arrangements for staggered breaks,etc. etc. -
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Posted By J Knight
Hi Ron,
Facilities for eating meals, not for preparing them, and the 'facilities' can be very, very basic, as I'm sure you know. Water is a must, evrything else is down to 'suitable' and 'adequate',
John
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Posted By John D Crosby
Hi Chris,
Para 232 of the ACoP to the Workplace Regs states that where people work during hours or at places where hot food cannot be obtained in or reasonably near to the workplace should be provided with a means of heating their own food. You have provided this bu giving them a microwave so a cooker is not needed.
John C
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Christopher, extract from guidance attached to the Regulations: "Eating facilities should include a facility for preparing or obtaining a hot drink, such as an electric kettle, a vending machine or a canteen. Workers who work during hours or at places where hot food cannot be obtained in, or reasonably near to, the workplace should be provided with the means for heating their own food."
To all other respondents: without knowing the number of employees, shift and break patterns, we are not really in a position to advise whether Christopher's arrangements are "suitable and sufficient". We are certainly in no position to decide that a cooker is not required!
Christopher, these facilities are important to your workforce. An investment (i.e a bit of "give and take") by the employer in these facilities can pay dividends elesewhere. Please look beyond legal requirements (minimal or otherwise) and consult with your workforce on this issue.
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