Posted By alastair
a department has just been moved from one floor to another . On the new floor they have situated two workers seating in a walk way of a space of 3` 6" which is in constant use to an office . The employees seating in this area are constantly knocked and having to move for others to gain access to the office .

I have mentioned that not only is this blocking the escape route of the worker in the office but also a hazard to the two employees . I feel a new risk assessment should be carried out and at the very least the two workers moved to a location not blocking a walk way and effecting their work space .
I have quoted the display screen regulations etc
any help would be appreciated

duffy

Posted By Zyggy Turek
The following may assist you:

The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs. 1992 state that there should be sufficient unrestricted working space and enough space to facilitate escape in an emergency.

Guidance on occupational space requirements can be found in the Journal Metric Handbook produced by the Royal Institute of British Architects and forms the basis for standards applied by architects in the UK.
Figures include:
Chair space: from desk edge nearest to occupant to ensure adequate chair space = 900mm.
Aisle widths: minor office = 750mm; normal general office = 900mm & major general office = 1500mm.

In addition, the Fire Precautions Act 1971 requires that, "the contents of any room..in which persons are employed are so arranged that there is a free passageway for...a means of escape."
Fire safety guidance suggests that the width of an exit route should be 1050mm for an occupancy of up to 200 persons & situations of more than 200 persons an additional 75mm should be added for every 15 persons.

Also, do not forget any risk assessments you carry out (including the ones under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regs. 1997, as amended 1999).

Hope that this is enough!!!!!