Rank: Super forum user 
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The distances between balustrades (1200mm high) and furniture in the new main entrance of our building on the mezzanine floor is approx 500mm and it appears young children can easily climb on to the back rests ( 1000mm) of the modular furniture we have in place in this viewing area, they can then peer over the balustrade to the ground 40 feet below, as they get more adventurous some of them can even lean over the balustrades. I have asked via risk assessment to move all seating to 1 metre away from the balustrades thus eliminating the risk of falls. Senior staff are not happy as it is ruining the aesthetics of the area. I have quoted the management regs and risk assessment around young people, and of course common sense. Anybody suggest other arguments I can use to ensure that the seating remains at 1 metre and is not reduced to 25 cm. In my view that would be a disaster waiting to happen!
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Rank: Forum user
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Not specific, but a tenuous link could be made to the Building Regs Approved Document K; Protection from falling 3.3 b "To prevent the children from readily being able to climb the guarding: avoid horizontal rails"
From your post it would appear the furniture is providing a means for children to "readily" climb above the "guarding" if it is positioned too close (to the balustrade)
RoSPA also mention balustrade in their information regarding Accidents to Children.
Under Falls:"Make sure balustrades are strong and do not have any footholds for climbing".
Geoff
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Rank: Super forum user
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Since when does H&S trump aesthetics!!?
LB
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Rank: Super forum user
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What has been done on a number of ships is to install transparent (glass / perspex / whatever) screens above the balustrade - this would be inconspicuous (no problem with aesthetics) but prevent any falls.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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SBH I note you are in fire risk management, is this your risk assessment or is there a H&S Manager as well as yourself?
This is one of those "hello is anyone listening" scenarios that frustrates me, and most other people with common sense, head banging against the wall?
You really have to push for what you believe is right but there is only so far you can go, it is up to the employer/building manager etc. to take on board what you say, and on their head be it.
If I was their H&S Consultant and they would not react to my guidance I would walk away and not bother with them again, I have done that before, however if you are employed you cannot do that.
Keep on at them until they do the right thing.
Good luck.
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