Safety Services recommended practice based on BS 5304. Benches must be
provided for staff to work at, these must be robust enough to support heavy
pieces ...
WORKSHOPS GENERAL (COMMON TO ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL AND WOODWORKING WORKSHOPS) VOLUME PER WORKER Current HSE Guidance states a minimum allowance of 11m 3 per person; heights above 3m are not counted towards the calculation of this volume. Note circulation space, including the space required for back to back working, and for equipment is also excluded from this calculation. However this volume should be regarded as the minimum allowance, as the actual space any person needs for their work must be based on an individual assessment which takes account of: • the nature of the work, • the ergonomics of equipment use, • any risks arising from the work, • how well the allocated space will be managed, e.g. not overcrowded with other (co)workers and equipment. As a guide a value closer to 18m 3 per one person may be a reasonable compromise between excessive workspace and a too constricted work area. Based on the above, the value of 18m 3 per one person, should be applied. Safety Services recommended practice NB the smaller the room is, the greater is the potential for heat gain. FLOORING Floor and traffic routes must be of sound construction and have adequate strength and stability taking account of the loads placed on them by heavy machinery. A smooth surface is required to allow easy movement of trolleys and equipment. Where leakage or spillage of oil or cutting fluid is likely to occur around machines etc., a slip resistant surface must be used. Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regs. 12, 1992 Pits and sumps require covers which will be capable of supporting all loads liable to be imposed upon them, and any traffic which is liable to pass over them. They must be of a type that cannot be readily detached and removed, and must not be capable of being easily displaced. based on Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regs. 13, 1992 Slopes should be no steeper than 1:10 to enable the movement of heavy or bulky loads. Moderate and steep slopes, and ramps if used by disabled persons, must be provided with a secure handrail where necessary. Safety Services recommended practice LAYOUT Machines must be installed with due regard to their interaction with other machines and the requirement of the process. Space must be provided around each machine to allow clear separation for passing traffic and for the storage of tools and work in progress. BS 5304
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Consideration must be given for access to the machine to allow sufficient space for work, maintenance, and cleaning, taking into account the full projection of the machine. Recommended allowances are as follows: 500mm working space around the equipment, 1.5m if there is an escape/circulation route behind the worker, or 2.0m where workers work back to back. Safety Services recommended practice based on BS 5304 Benches must be provided for staff to work at, these must be robust enough to support heavy pieces of equipment and easily accessible for handling equipment. Workshops require a suitable area for storage of materials with easy access for loading, unloading and cutting. Safety Services recommended practice SERVICES Service pipes and cables such as electrical power cables, compressed air lines or hydraulic systems must be placed either below ground clear of the machinery foundations and provided with covers of adequate strength, or at such a height as to have clear headroom; the traversing of gangways must be avoided. BS 5304 Emergency power cut outs must be provided and positioned to ensure quick and easy access to them. BS 5304 LIFTING EQUIPMENT Lifting appliance suspension points must be built in to facilitate maintenance where practicable. Lifting equipment is sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use, and marked to indicate its working load. Lifting equipment is positioned to minimise the risk of injury, e.g. from the equipment or the load falling or striking people. Lifting equipment is thoroughly examined for any defect before it is put into service for the first time (unless it is new and is covered by an EC declaration of conformity, which is less than 12 months old). Where the safety of lifting equipment depends on installation conditions. It must be thoroughly examined after installation and before being put into use for the first time. Periodic thorough examinations are also required at six months intervals for accessories (chains, slings, eyebolts etc.) and equipment used for lifting people, and at least annually for all other equipment; or at intervals laid down in an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. Lifting Operations and Lifting Regulations 1998 LIGHTING Poor lighting is often a factor in accidents and can also increase visual fatigue The employer must provide: Good light - use natural light where possible, but try to avoid glare. A good level of local lighting at workstations where necessary. Suitable forms of lighting (fluorescent tubes operating at mains frequency may be dangerous with rotating machinery when the rotating part can appear to have stopped). Special fittings for flammable and explosive atmospheres, e.g. in spray booths, to reduce risk of ignition and explosion. * Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992
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VENTILATION Where machinery gives rise to hazardous or objectionable levels of mist, fumes or dust; such as welding, de-greasing, electro-plating etc., containment or suitable extraction equipment must be provided. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regs. 1999 The levels of exposure to mist, fumes and dust must comply with the exposure limit values for long and short term exposure as defined in the current issue of the HSE Guidance Note EH 40. Fans and/or additional air inlets (at low level) and outlets (at high level) maybe needed in workshops where there are no means of ventilation other than air leakage in and out and where: Work generates hazardous airborne pollutants Workshops have been sealed to conserve energy. Provide at least Five litres/second per occupant (eight is recommended for comfort) and air movement of at least 0.1 to 0.15 metres/second. Measure velocities, using specialist help if needed, at input ducts (to calculate air flow inwards) and inside workshops (to calculate air movements) HSG 129 Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 COMPRESSORS Siting of air compressors must allow for access to service and maintain them. They should be out of the main working area to minimise noise problems, but not in a position where they are exposed to a harsh environment where corrosion may occur. There must be a written scheme for examination of certain pressure vessels, such as air receivers, steam boilers, fittings and pipework, drawn up and examined by a competent person. Records must be kept. Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Regs. 6 1989 SANITATION The employer must provide Suitable and Sufficient (and adequate ventilated and lit) sanitary conveniences and (nearby) Washing facilities kept clean and orderly. Separate rooms for men and women, except where they are for the use of one person and are capable of being secured from inside. Hot and cold, or warm water with means of cleaning and drying are required for workshop staff. Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 Room must be provided to change clothes, and lockers to keep work clothes separate from own clothes. Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations. 24, 1992
Safety Services Reference(s): Workshops First Published Reviewed
UCL Safety Services
December 2001 May 2002
