Posted By Darren Crossman I am just looking for soome clarification under the welfare regulations. is an emplyer obligated to provide cold drinking water at no charge? is an emplyer obligated to provide hot water to make a warm drink at no charge? would a vending machine be suitable where you cannot get hot water but must pay for whichever flavour of drink you want? if there is no facility nearby to obtain hot food, should an employer be providing a microwave or alternative heating method? (in an office environment)

Posted By Bob Shillabeer No the employer is oblidged to make drinking water available, however, there are not many workplaces that only do this as a means of boiling a kettle or providing water hot enough top make tea.

Posted By TT I agree on the provision of drinking water. As it has to be readily accessible, providing it at a cost would would likely go against the legislation especially when you consider that PPE etc. should be provided without cost. With regard to the facilities for hot food - the ACoP for the Workplace Regulations provides guidance on this that is pretty much along the lines of your initial question. Where meals have to be eaten at the workplace, the facilities should include the means for preparing or obtaining a hot drink eg. kettle or vending machine. I see no reason, other than moral, as to why there cannot be a charge for use of a vending machine. Where hot food cannot be obtained at the workplace or nearby, the workplace should be provided with the means for employees to heat their own food. If the above is not being met then the employer needs to have a pretty good reason as to why.