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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. Eleven cubic metres per person is a minimum and may be insufficient depending on the layout, contents and the nature of the work.

Workstations should be suitable for the people using them and for the work. People should be able to leave workstations swiftly in an emergency. If work can or must be done sitting, seats which are suitable for the people using them and for the work done there should be provided. Seating should give adequate support for the lower back, and footrests should be provided for workers who cannot place their feet flat on the floor.

The workplace, and certain equipment, devices and systems should be maintained in efficient working order (efficient for health, safety and welfare). Such maintenance is required for mechanical ventilation systems, equipment and devices which would cause a risk to health, safety or welfare if a fault occurred.

‘Traffic route’ means a route for pedestrian traffic, vehicles, or both, and includes any stairs, fixed ladder, doorway, gateway, loading bay or ramp.

There should be sufficient traffic routes, of sufficient width and headroom, to allow people and vehicles to circulate safely with ease. Floors and traffic routes should be sound and strong enough for the loads placed on them and the traffic expected to use them. The surfaces should not have holes, be uneven or slippery and should be kept free of obstructions.

Restrictions should be clearly indicated. Where sharp or blind bends are unavoidable or vehicles need to reverse, measures such as one-way systems and visibility mirrors should be considered. Speed limits should be set. Screens should be provided to protect people who have to work where they would be at risk from exhaust fumes, or to protect people from materials likely to fall from vehicles.

Additional measures need to be taken where pedestrians have to cross or share vehicle routes. These may include marking of routes, provision of crossing points, bridges, subways and barriers. Open sides of staircases should be fenced with an upper rail at 900 mm or higher and a lower rail. A handrail should be provided on at least one side of every staircase and on both sides if there is a particular risk. Additional handrails may be required down the centre of wide staircases. Access between floors should not be by ladders or steep stairs.

Where a load is tipped into a pit or similar place, and the vehicle is liable to fall into it, barriers or portable wheel stops should be provided at the end of the traffic route. Loading bays should have at least one exit point from the lower level or a refuge should be provided to avoid people being struck or crushed by vehicles.