Rank: New forum user 
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I have a room which is just under 11 cubic metres in size, a member of staff has asked if they can use it to update their clinic lists. In any working day visiting between clinics they will spend 60 minutes maximum using this room. With a desk and filing cabinet the free working space reduces to well below 11 cubic metres.
Common sense tells me this is acceptable as at any one time they staff are using the room for a maximum period of 10 minutes.
I have written a draft risk assessment stating that staff should only use the room for a maximum period of time?
Does anybody have a view on this and what would be the maximum period of time staff could use this room at any one time?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Afternoon,
I do not see a problem in what you are being asked to do with the room size as long as it does not become a permanent work station.
Other issues to consider would be light, ventilation, fire, what else is stored there, who else would want to use, can your worker(s) get to the desk easily and have they enough room to input in a manner that will not lead to DSE health risks.
Regarding the time I would discuss with the user and come to an agreement but 15 minutes per inputting session would seem fair to me with 45 minutes between.
Write your RA but include a date for review e.g. 5 times using room, go ahead with using the room then carry out the review with the user and amend RA if required, review again later.
I would get the user to sign your RA also.
Hope this helps
Take Care
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Rank: Super forum user
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Workrooms should have enough free space to allow people to move about with ease. The volume of the room when empty, divided by the number of people normally working in it, should be at least 11 cubic metres. All or part of a room over 3.0 m high should be counted as 3.0 m high. 11 cubic metres per person is a minimum and may be insufficient depending on the layout, contents and the nature of the work.
This is an extract from the regulations and is the minimum room size you need to provide. This is without any furiture in it so you will need to take into account any furniture, etc.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I would take a pragmatic rather than get too hung up on a 'literal' approach. Pretty much as per Fletcher has said, can they get in and out ok, can they sit comfortably etc e3tc etc. I'll be honest, I don't even know if I would bother with a risk assessment (do I hear cries of despair?!) nor do I see the need for people to sign the risk assessment (OMG!)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Im with Phil on this one....provided they can access and egress safely and sit comfortably at the work station I would have no issues with it being used.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Assuming adequate power, light, heat and ventilation, then no problem at all.
But do drop that R/A in the bin at the earliest opportunity!
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