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is normally occupied, doors must not be locked and the contents
of workrooms should be so arranged as to afford free passageway
to a means of escape in case of fire.
In premises where more than 20 persons are employed at any
one time or premises where more than 10 people are employed at any
one time on floors other than the ground floor, it is unlawful to
employ anyone in them unless a certificate has been issued by the
Fire Authority.
EXEMPTIONS
The Minister of Labour has power to exempt by order a class
of premises from certain requirements of the Act when in his opinion
it is unreasonable to require compliance because of special
circumstances. The requirements in question are those relating to
room space for employees, temperature, sanitary conveniences and
washing facilities. As regards space and temperature an exemption
order may relate to a class of rooms. An exemption under this scheme
may be granted unconditionally or subject to conditions.
If the authority enforcing are satisfied that compliance is
not reasonably practicable they may exempt individual premises from
the following requirements- room space for employees, temperature,
sanitary conveniences, and running water for washing purposes.
Where an application for exemption is made, a notice giving full
particulars of the application must be kept posted in the premises
for 14 days following the date on which the notice is posted. The
notice must state that the employees may make written representation
to the enforcing authority within the 14 day period.
If an exemption is granted the certificate must be posted
in the premises to which it relates in order for the employees to
see it easily.
Duties of Employers and Occupiers
The cost of implementing the provisions of the Act may not
be recovered from the work people employed in the premises by levying
charges on them.
The enforcing authority must be notified immediately of any
accident which causes the death of a person employed to work in
the premises, or which disables any such person for more than
3 days from doing their usual work. Deaths subsequently resulting
from such accidents must also be notified.
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