Workplace Environment & Facilities

Air, light, temperature, hygiene, amenities. The minimum baseline every workplace must meet, before any task-specific risk is even considered.

Edition note

Re-baselined against the SWA December 2025 model edition on 2026-04-28 (the May 2018 → Nov 2024 → Dec 2025 chain). Numerical ratios (toilets, washbasins, lighting, temperature) below are the long-standing model-Code values; cross-check the December 2025 PDF before quoting them in a regulator response, contract or formal advice.

Quick Take

• Toilets, drinking water and hand-washing are non-negotiable — ratios in §4.
• Sedentary indoor work: aim for 20–26 °C and lighting matched to task (40–800 lux, see §3).
• Construction site? Permanent or portable amenities, but the same standards apply.
• Emergency plan (Reg 43) is part of facilities — written, tested, with named wardens.
• Consult workers when changing facilities — it's one of the six s.49 triggers.

1. Who's responsible

PCBU duties (WHS Act s.19; WHS Reg 40–44)

• Maintain the workplace, plant, structures and systems of work without risks to health and safety.
• Provide and maintain adequate, accessible facilities for workers' welfare.
• Ensure safe entry/exit — including for workers with disabilities.
• Provide information, training and supervision.
• Monitor worker health and workplace conditions.
• Consult workers on facility adequacy and changes.

2. Workplace environment factors

Factor	Standard / aim
Air quality / ventilation	Fresh outside air. Natural openings ≥ 5% floor area, or mechanical ventilation. Air movement 0.1–0.2 m/s. Service systems regularly. Local exhaust for airborne contaminants.
Temperature	20–26 °C for sedentary work; lower for physical labour. Provide controls (fans, AC, breaks, acclimatisation).
Lighting	Match task: 40–80 lux corridors/change rooms; 160–240 lux canteen/routine office; 320–800 lux fine inspection. Minimise glare and shadow. Emergency lighting required.
Noise	See §08 [[managing_noise_and_preventing_hearing_loss]] for full code.
Housekeeping	Spills cleaned immediately; walkways clear; waste emptied. Worker training and habit.
Floor surfaces	Non-slip wet/dry; trip-free; suitable for any wheeled equipment; inspected.
Workstations	Upright posture, relaxed shoulders, adjustable seating with lumbar support and foot support, mix seated/standing.

3. Facilities required (Reg 41)

Numerical ratios below are model-Code values carried forward through the May 2018 → Nov 2024 → December 2025 editions. Cross-check the current PDF before publishing them in any binding agreement.

Toilets

• ≤ 10 workers (≤ 2 of one gender): 1 unisex.
• > 10 workers: 1 per 20 males (+ 1 urinal per 25 males); 1 per 15 females.
• Lockable, marked, lit, ventilated, cleaned regularly.
• Supply: paper, hand-wash, soap, sanitary/rubbish bins.
• Multistorey: at least every second floor; accessible to workers with disabilities.

Hand washing

• ≥ 1 basin per 30 male workers; ≥ 1 per 30 female workers (more for infectious or contaminated work).
• Separate from work troughs; sheltered; hot and cold water; soap; hygienic drying (no shared towels).

Drinking water

• Free, clean, cool (≤ 24 °C), available at all times.
• Position near hot or strenuous work.
• Separate from toilet/wash areas. Fountain or disposable cups.

Eating areas (≥ 10 workers eating simultaneously, or contamination risk)

• ≥ 1 m² clear floor space per person + furniture space.
• Tables, seats, sink (hot/cold), boiling water, crockery, fridge, microwave, vermin-proof bins emptied daily.
• Sheltered from weather, contaminants, hazards.

Change rooms (where workers must change)

• ≥ 0.5 m² clear space per person changing simultaneously.
• Comfortable temperature; seating; mirrors; hooks/shelves.
• Lockers ventilated, secure, sized for kit. Spacing: 1800 mm between facing rows; 900 mm between locker and seat/wall.

Personal storage

• Accessible, secure storage for handbags, jewellery, medication, tools.
• Separate from contaminated PPE storage.

Showers (dirty/hazardous work)

• 1 cubicle per 10 workers who may shower.
• Cubicle floor ≥ 1.8 m², slip-resistant, sanitisable.
• Partition 1650 mm high, ≤ 300 mm above floor.
• Adjacent dressing area with seat, hooks, lockable door.
• Hot/cold water, soap, drying.

Shelter from weather (outdoor work)

• Sheds, caravans, tents, windbreaks, portable canopies for breaks and adverse conditions.

Accommodation (remote work)

• Safe entry/exit; structural, electrical and fire safety.
• Drinking water, toilets, washing/laundry, kitchen.
• Quiet sleeping; heating/cooling/ventilation; rubbish collection.

4. Construction-site specifics

• A separate Code of Practice covers Construction Work — see §02 [[02 - Construction Work/general_construction_work]] for site-specific facilities planning.
• Site accommodation must comply with the National Construction Code.
• Mobile/portable toilets common; require regular servicing and clear signage.
• Ratios above still apply — being on a site doesn't lower the standard.

5. Quick-reference numbers

Item	Value
Male toilets	1 per 20; +1 urinal per 25
Female toilets	1 per 15
Unisex (small workplaces)	1 if ≤ 10 workers and ≤ 2 of one gender
Hand-wash basins	1 per 30 male; 1 per 30 female
Eating area floor space	1 m² per person
Change room space	0.5 m² per person
Locker spacing	1800 mm between rows; 900 mm to wall/seat
Shower cubicles	1 per 10 workers needing to shower
Shower floor	≥ 1.8 m²
Shower partition	1650 mm high, ≤ 300 mm above floor
Aisle width	≥ 600 mm clear
Stair handrail	≥ 900 mm
Indoor air movement	0.1–0.2 m/s
Sedentary temperature	20–26 °C
Lighting (corridor/change)	40–80 lux
Lighting (canteen/office)	160–240 lux
Lighting (fine inspection)	600–800 lux
Drinking water temp	≤ 24 °C
Natural ventilation opening	≥ 5% floor area

6. Emergency planning (Reg 43)

Written plan covering:

• Effective response, evacuation, calling 000, medical treatment, communication.
• Site plan: fire equipment, exits, assembly points — displayed at key locations.
• Emergency contact details (fire, police, poison) updated and posted.
• Audible alert system.
• First aid facilities and fire extinguishers (suitable to hazards) accessible.
• Trained area wardens; head-count procedure.
• Regular drills; testing schedule; review owner named.
• Training: all workers and managers in their procedures.

Coordinate with neighbouring businesses where their hazards could affect you.

7. First-aid cross-reference

See [[first_aid_in_the_workplace]] for kits, first-aider ratios, rooms and procedures. The work-environment code requires first-aid facilities; the first-aid code defines them.

8. Records to keep

• Risk assessments of work environment and facilities.
• Maintenance and repair logs (HVAC, lighting, plumbing, furniture).
• Cleaning schedules and logs.
• Emergency plan + training/drill records.
• Facility-related incident/near-miss log.
• Periodic checklist reviews (use Appendix B of the source as a template).

9. Common pitfalls / quick wins

Do

• Consult workers when assessing or changing facilities.
• Keep walkways clear (≥ 600 mm) and slip-resistant.
• Service HVAC regularly; monitor 20–26 °C for sedentary work.
• Replace consumables (soap, paper) frequently; empty bins daily.
• Mark toilets clearly; meet the ratios; provide privacy.
• Test emergency procedures; brief everyone on warden roles.

Don't

• Tolerate shared drinking containers or sub-standard hand-washing (no hot water, no soap).
• Overcrowd eating areas; aim for 1 m² per person.
• Leave damaged chairs, lights, plumbing or doors un-repaired.
• Substitute outdoor toilets when permanent facilities are reasonably practicable.
• Ignore heat/cold hazards — train workers to recognise heat exhaustion and hypothermia.
• Store personal items inside contaminated PPE areas.

10. Cross-references

• See also: [[risk_management_process]], [[first_aid_in_the_workplace]]
• Construction-specific: [[02 - Construction Work/general_construction_work]]
• Noise: [[managing_noise_and_preventing_hearing_loss]]
• Glossary: [[glossary_and_key_concepts]]

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Source: model_code_of_practice_-_managing_the_work_environment_and_facilities_-_december_2025.pdf (Safe Work Australia, model Code of Practice, CC-BY-NC 4.0). Source edition: December 2025 (supersedes May 2018 + Nov 2024). Last verified against SWA: 2026-04-28.