S.L. 646.8 Art. 24Resting and eating facilities.

(1) The employer shall, when the health or safety of the workers so require, and after taking into consideration the type of activity and the number of workers present at any one time, provide and maintain suitable and sufficient rest facilities which are easily accessible to all workers. Such facilities shall:

(a) be physically separate from the workplace;

(b) be of suitable dimensions and levels of hygiene;

(c) be equipped with an adequate number of tables and seats with backs for the workers;

(d) include suitable arrangements for the protection of non-smokers against discomfort caused by tobacco smoke;

(e) include suitable and sufficient dining facilities which shall include the provision of the necessary means to heat food, to prepare a hot drink and to keep food and drink at a suitably low temperature for workers who regularly eat mea1s at the workplace, or where food is likely to be contaminated.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding regulation, this regulation shall not be applicable to offices or to similar workplaces: Provided that in the workplaces aforementioned, the employer shall provide equivalent relaxation during breaks, and in particular shall allow workers adequate opportunity to leave the workplace during breaks.

(3) Where for any reason attributable to the design and dimensions of the workplace the employer is unable to provide the aforementioned resting and eating facilities in accordance with the provisions of subregulation (1), an employer shall allow his workers adequate opportunity to leave the workplace during breaks.

(4) In those workplaces where rest rooms are not provided, and where the working hours are regularIy and frequently interrupted, an employer shall either provide other rooms in which workers can stay during such interruptions, or the workers shall be allowed adequate opportunity to leave the workplace during such interruptions, wherever this is required for the safety or health of the workers.

(5) An employer shall provide suitable resting facilities so as to allow pregnant women and nursing mothers to lie down and rest in appropriate conditions: Provided that a pregnant woman or nursing mother shall have informed her employer of her pregnancy or that she is a nursing mother by means of a certificate issued by a medical practitioner or midwife.