The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) established since 1975 requires all persons who control workplaces to maintain health and safety standards for their employees and anyone affected by their work activities. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers and self-employed workers and all persons controlling workplaces to establish health and safety standards for their employees and all people affected by their work activities. The law requires employers to implement risk reduction measures for all foreseeable glazing-related dangers. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 established clear responsibilities for glazing safety, following the original HSWA's failure to include specific glazing provisions.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 established specific requirements for the safety of transparent and translucent surfaces after their implementation on January 1st 1993. The regulations apply to all workplaces that include offices and schools and factories and shops and hospitals and hotels and public buildings. The rules do not apply to homes or sites that are actively under construction. The regulations took effect immediately for all new workplaces starting from 1993 and became mandatory for all workplaces beginning on January 1st 1996.
The employer typically bears responsibility for compliance, but ownership structures and tenancy agreements can transfer this duty to other parties. The landlord or building owner becomes responsible for duty holder status when tenancy agreements grant them sufficient control over the premises.
What Does Regulation 14 Require?
The regulation contains specific requirements for glazing safety. The law requires all windows and transparent or translucent wall surfaces to receive safety treatment through material selection, protective measures, or safety window film application and visible marking for health and safety purposes.
All glazing surfaces that pose a potential injury risk must receive safety upgrades, protective measures, or visible safety markings.
What Does the Duty Holder Need To Do?
The assessment process requires evaluation of all relevant glazing surfaces to determine whether someone could be injured by touching or hitting the glass, or by glass breaking.
The existence of a risk requires immediate action.
The following steps serve as possible solutions to address the situation:
- The glazing area needs protection through physical barriers to stop people and objects from touching it.
- The glazing needs a safety film application to achieve safe breakage characteristics.
- The installation of visible markings on extensive glass surfaces helps users detect their presence.
- The installation of barriers and screens serves as a protective measure.
- The glass needs replacement with materials that provide safety features.
- The traffic pattern needs to be rearranged to create safe zones between people and glass surfaces.
Risk Factors to Consider
The assessment process requires evaluation of multiple factors, which include:
- The glass panel's position in the building structure
- The number of people who access this area and their visit frequency
- The surrounding activities and their potential to create hazards
- The number of people and vehicles moving through the area
- The number of previous accidents and near accidents that have occurred
The following areas present elevated danger levels because of their location:
- Glass elements found in entrance doors and entrance gates
- The glass panels which run parallel to the doors create a safety risk.
- Glass panels are located at heights that reach or fall below shoulder level or waist level in walkways, corridors, and busy areas.
Free Glazing Risk Assessments
Evowrap offers complimentary glazing risk assessment services to all businesses located in the Midlands and surrounding areas of Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The company provides nationwide risk assessment services at a minimal additional cost. Our team is ready to schedule your assessment by contacting 0800 107 7965.
Taking Action
The extent of risk determines which actions duty holders must take to protect their workers.
The risk level
The glass needs to be substituted with a material that follows safety standards.
Safety Materials
The following materials fulfil all requirements for safety standards:
This material meets the BS6206 Class B standard. The safety materials include polycarbonate and glass blocks which offer inherent strength. The glass structure should break into small, non-sharp pieces when it fails. The minimum requirements for annealed glass include specific thickness levels and maximum dimensions.
Evowrap’s Nationwide Installation Service
The UK-based team at Evowrap provides complete safety window film installation services, which include site surveys, compliant solution recommendations, and professional installation. The company offers complete warranties for all its installation work. The team is available at 0800 107 7965 for both consultation and scheduling site visits.
FAQs
Q. What does the Workplace Regulation 1992 cover?
A. The Workplace Regulations 1992 establish basic health and safety standards, including lighting and temperature control, ventilation, cleanliness, and glazing safety requirements.
Q. Do the regulations apply to all workplaces?
A. The regulations apply to all workplaces except construction sites and ships and specific temporary work areas. The rules do not apply to residential properties.
Q. What temperature should workplaces be kept at?
A. Workplaces need to maintain temperatures between 16°C and 27°C based on their operational activities.
Q. Are there any lighting requirements?
A. The regulations establish specific lighting standards which must be followed for workplace safety.
Q. Do the regulations set occupational noise limits?
A. The regulations establish specific noise standards which employers need to follow. Employers need to minimise loud noise at work and provide hearing protection when noise levels exceed safe thresholds.
Q: Are there spacing requirements for workers?
A: Yes. Workers need enough room to move safely through their work areas. The standard measurement for workspace volume per person is 11 cubic meters.
Q: Must drinking water be provided?
A: Yes. All employees need access to clean drinking water, which should be available throughout their workday.