Does anyone know the current legislation for drinking water at the work place?

Question

is it a legal requirement to provide water coolers etc?

Answer 1

Drinking water must be available without charge. The company is not obliged to supply water coolers. My old company tried to charge us because the only drinking water as through a coffee machine. It was pointed out that charging for water was illegal. They then said they were charging for the plastic cups> The union said we don't want plastic cups we will supply out own. At this point the Company capitulated but raised canteen prices.

Answer 2

Yes.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (SI 1992 No.3004) state that employers must provide an adequate and free supply of drinking water at easily accessible places in the workplace, together with cups (unless the water comes from a drinking fountain).

The water should be marked as drinking water if there is a chance employees will drink from another water source not suitable for drinking, unless that source is marked as not for drinking.

Answer 3

I don't know about regulations over in England, but Occupational Health and Safety regulations ere in Australia make it mandatory to have an adequate and accessible supply of fresh drinking water for all employees.

Education Institutions and Public Eateries, Hoteliers or places that sell alcohol on tap must also provide water for free to any clientele.

And a quirky fact:

Under the Hotelliers and Publican Bar act of 1878, it is mandatory for such venues to provide fresh water and hay, free for all patrons.

So the next time you go into a pub here in Aussie, insist on a bail of hay!!

Answer 4

i guess so. if u wanna drink water y don't u simply take two bottles of it?

Answer 5

if it is then there are alot of workplaces violating the law!!