Work Space

The provision of an adequate amount of space within which to work is essential. Overcrowding can increase accident risks and can be a major source of stress.

Safety Reps should be consulted "in good time" about changes at work and this should include the design and layout of workplaces. It is especially important that Safety Reps are involved in planning of new work layouts since many problems connected with working space can be identified at the planning stage.

Regulation 10 of the Workplace Regs states that every workroom shall have sufficient floor area, height and unoccupied space for purposes of health, safety and welfare. The ACoP says that as a minimum, 11 cu metres should be allowed per person working in a room.

This assumes that the room is up to 3 metres high. The number of people who may work in any room at the same time will depend on the size of the room, the space taken up by furniture, fittings and equipment and the layout of the room.

Therefore, the minimum allowance of 11 cu metres will not comply with these Regs if the room is crowded with equipment or furniture. Unfortunately, the Workplace Regs do not apply to non-employees and, therefore, can only be considered as guidance when considering the space in classrooms.

The General Schools (Scotland) Regulations 1975 (Regulation 8) outlines the recommended method by which the maximum number of pupils for whom every room is suitable should be calculated. The table below is from guidance produced by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland in 1975.

Action Checklist: Space

1. Carry out an inspection to see if there is adequate space provided in all work areas.
2.  Does the amount of equipment and furniture in the workplace make the area unsafe?
3. How can the layout be improved?

Workstations and Seating

Prolonged standing at work is one the most common sources of discomfort and fatigue. The muscles of the thighs and calves are contracted in order to maintain the upright position, and energy is consumed in holding the body upright.

Prolonged standing is therefore an important contributory cause of accidents and health hazards such as varicose veins, back strain and upper limb disorders. Seats for work should be designed and adjusted so that work can be carried out in comfort and safety and allow for a voluntary change of posture.

The chair and the working level are one unit in the working position the arms should be unhampered, the forearm approximately at right angles to the upper arm and the elbows level with or slightly above the work surface. The chair should be stable, it should have a comfortable seat of the correct size for the worker and be at the right height for the work, ie allowing the feet to be placed with sole and heel in a comfortable position on the floor or footrest with the angle at the knee approximately at a right angle.

There should be support for the buttocks without pressure on the under part of the thigh or back of the calf, and a backrest to support the small of the back. There should be freedom of movement without loss of support and no obstructions below the bench or table which might cause pressure of the thighs or knees. Sharp edges, corners or protrusions liable to cause injury or damage to clothing must be avoided.

Regulation 11 of the Workplace Regs says that:

1. every workstation must be suitable for the worker using it and the work being carried out;
2. outdoor workstations should provide protection from bad weather, allow the user to leave quickly in an emergency, ensure that the user is not likely to slip or fall; and
3. suitable seating shall be provided where the work can be done sitting down, with a footrest where necessary.

The Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 also include specific requirements for workstations and seating.