Rank: Super forum user
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Does the forum consider a mower shed on a sports ground a workplace. I think it is but there is a difference of opinion.
Welfare is provided elsewhere and the shed's primary purpose is to store ground care equipment and materials.
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Rank: Super forum user
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What is the purpose of the question? Do employees go into the shed to put in or take out mowers as part of their every day duties? It is a storage area and therefore is part of a workplace. What is the relevance of welfare? Are employees using it as an ad hoc eating or drinking area or worse? With respect I think you need to clarify your original post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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It is a place of work. It is under the aegis of the employer. Accessed and used by employees. Used to store work equipment.
The reasonable provision of welfare facilities is a related, but separate matter.
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Rank: Super forum user
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pl53, I think you may be over analysing the question.
The purpose of the question was to gain opinions. The shed has yet to be built and I believe it has to comply with the Workplace Regulations. The provision of welfare is a key part of these regulations and I did not want a discussion about welfare as this is not the issue.
The issue is the provision of lighting, flooring, ventilation etc. and confusion if it’s all required or not.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I find flooring very useful - you need something to stand on.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
On a more serious note, any idea of the approximate dimensions. Are we talking a garden shed type structure say 12' x 6' or something larger. Will the staff be maintaining the mowers in the shed?
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Rank: Super forum user
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There's little from the Workplace Regs that would be prescriptive or absolute in that regard, Alfaserv.
Maybe you're over-thinking it a bit - it's a storage shed, infrequently accessed. A workplace by strict application of law but in practice? Ventilation via natural flow through a double door set and a couple of air bricks or vents to the rear are more about keeping the structure free from damp. Natural light via opened doors will be more than adequate in hours of daylight. Hard standing or floor need to support the weight and movement of the kit to be stored within. Do make sure the doors have suitable stays to stop them blowing about!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Yes a workplace.
The rest depends on use.
If just storing stuff and only used during day you could say it needs no lighting. If lack of visibility could lead to injury then fit some lights.
Same with ventilation. Maybe an open door will be all you need but if people are working in the shed for long times you might need more - say a window or two. You may need heating if working in the shed in the winter.
My own shed has an old chair, a stereo with one working speaker and a stack of girly magazines I accidentally purchased at a boot fair but I don't think these are a strict requirements of the legislation.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Can U explain in detail just what U mean by the term 'shed' as I have seen sheds 60x 60 feet wide and some 6x4 both of which stored mowers [with petrol involved] -thereafter U may get a more detailed answer
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Rank: Super forum user
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The client is calling it a shed but it will be a brick building about 2.5m by 5m. I suspect minor maintenance will occur so will refuelling and other minor tasks associated with ground care. It will house two different types of mowers, one is a ride on for football pitches.
Ron, I agree with your point about the regs but I disagree about the lighting. In the middle of winter, at the end of the day with low natural light level you will not be able to see into the back.
Martin1, we are in the internet age now.
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Rank: Super forum user
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is there a grounds person employed? If so then the sports ground is a workplace let alone the shed.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Yes, the ground keeper is am employee.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Alfasev wrote:The client is calling it a shed but it will be a brick building about 2.5m by 5m. I suspect minor maintenance will occur so will refuelling and other minor tasks associated with ground care. It will house two different types of mowers, one is a ride on for football pitches.
Ron, I agree with your point about the regs but I disagree about the lighting. In the middle of winter, at the end of the day with low natural light level you will not be able to see into the back.
Martin1, we are in the internet age now.
Has the mower not got lights then? If not should it be puttering about in semi-darkness? Anyone who refuels indoors or causes or permits that activity, is an idiot. I rented a Council lock-up for a great many years. No lights. No power. No problems.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ron, This is a sport ground with flood lighting and I only concerned with the building of it. Where you an employee working in the council lock-up?
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Rank: Super forum user
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The Organisation I work for has employees who regularly use these very same lock-ups every day ( for their intended obvious purpose), and I've no problems with that.
The one and only incident we had involved injury due to a door being caught by a strong gust of wind - hence the caveat above.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If there are workers [even volunteers in some cases] undertaking activities in the shed on behalf of their employer or somebody that has a business gain from the activities undertaken in this shed then said shed is a workplace with all the laws etc. that apply therein - talk to the fire people and the designer for further info etc. especially so as it sounds like petrol will be stored in the shed. Thereafter give all the info that U have gathered to the client
Renting a Council lock-up as a private person is a completely different thing
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Rank: Super forum user
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From the workplace regulations:
“workplace” means, subject to paragraph (2), any premises or part of premises which are not domestic premises and are made available to any person as a place of work, and includes—
(a) any place within the premises to which such person has access while at work; and
(b) any room, lobby, corridor, staircase, road or other place used as a means of access to or egress from that place of work or where facilities are provided for use in connection with the place of work other than a public road; but shall not include a modification, an extension or a conversion of any of the above until such modification, extension or conversion is completed.
Therefore from the use you describe it is a workplace and those that question it should be shown the above definition and asked to trust you.
I suspect they are thinking electricity supply, lots of money to a "shed" in the middle of a field. What is provided only need be appropriate for the tasks to be undertaken. Perhaps solar powered lighting, natural ventilation, short duration work so no heating required etc are all possibilities. Sell them the ideas of how easy it may actually be.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Adequate security is also an issue
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