Staff rooms

Missme

Southend1 is right.

Do I need to test new equipment?
New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and not require a formal portable appliance inspection or test. However, a simple visual check is recommended to verify the item is not damaged.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm

kleapatra

theoretica wrote: »

Could you and some colleagues team up on a cheap microwave and would your work be OK with you putting it somewhere? We did something similar with a coffee machine. I just looked on Argos and at £60 the cheapest would pay for itself fairly soon.

Sadly I've been asking for one for years and it won't even be considered, would make the office smell apparently! Doesn't seem to bother the people who make the most vile smelling cup a soups (yes, we're allowed a kettle!)

Denning.

Like has been mentioned, nothing you can really do to force it other than bring it up with management. Like you say, it is a bit annoying but hardly the end of the world.

paddedjohn

Facilities for rest and to eat meals


Suitable and sufficient, readily accessible rest facilities should be provided.

Seats should be provided for workers to use during breaks. These 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.

Where workers regularly eat meals at work, suitable and sufficient facilities should

be provided for the purpose. Such facilities should also be provided where food

would otherwise be likely to be contaminated.

Work areas can be counted as rest areas and

as eating facilities, provided they are adequately

clean and there is a suitable surface on which to place food.

Where provided, eating facilities should include a facility 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 (eg microwave oven).

Canteens or restaurants may be used as rest facilities provided there is no

obligation to purchase food.

Suitable rest facilities should be provided for pregnant women and nursing

mothers. They should be near to sanitary facilities and, where necessary, include

the facility to lie down.

From 1 July 2007, it has been against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed

public places and workplaces in England, including most work vehicles. Similar

legislation exists in Scotland and Wales. Further information is available at:

www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.


The above from the HSE website.

Savvy_Sue

Can you see any space which could be used as a staff room or rest area? If you can, why not get a group of you to suggest it? Even if it was only available at lunch times, and used for meetings etc at other times.

make sure you 'make a case' for how it would improve morale / productivity / atmosphere etc.

andygb

I have worked at plenty of places with around 100 employees which do not have staff rooms, and where the employees can eat lunch at their desks. My OH works in such a place at the moment.
I do not see a problem with this, because you have a choice, bring a packed or bought lunch or go out to a cafe/restaurant.

pimento

kleapatra wrote: »

(yes, we're allowed a kettle!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Betterware-Pasta-Express-Cooking-Container/dp/B004QWULN4/ref=pd_cp_kh_0

ohreally

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I guess not then.

Eating at workstations is rarely acceptable. It is unhygenic, messy and if liquids are present can create a hazzard.

An accident with a mug of coffee over a pc would reinforce the need for the emplyer to meet their duty under law - its not advice, its a requirement.

Apathy lets employers avoid their duty.

Kayalana99

ohreally wrote: »

Eating at workstations is rarely acceptable. It is unhygenic, messy and if liquids are present can create a hazzard.

An accident with a mug of coffee over a pc would reinforce the need for the emplyer to meet their duty under law - its not advice, its a requirement.

Apathy lets employers avoid their duty.

Yet legally, its allowed. Thats all I was saying.

ohreally

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Yet legally, its allowed. Thats all I was saying.

Legally the employer has a duty to provide facilities - those choosing not to need held to account or they will continue to do as they please.