Space

Author: CCa2z

Date: 10th October 2004

As with a typical office, it is common practice to accommodate additional new staff by re-arranging the office.  However, many call centres have rapidly expanding workforces, and managers should regularly review whether they are meeting regulations by accommodating new staff in this way or whether additional space is required. 

Legal requirements: To comply with the regulations (Regulation 10 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations), call centres should have enough free space to allow people to get to and from workstations and to move within the call centre with ease.  The total volume of an empty area divided by the number of people normally working in it should be at least 11 cubic metres (ceilings higher than 3m should be entered into calculations as 3m).  The workstation and basic storage facilities are included in this volume so, depending on the style and size of the workstation and storage facilities, additional space may be required to ensure there is sufficient space for the work activity to be undertaken without risking safety or health.  It is unlikely that additional space will be required for the majority of call centre workstations.

User Comments: There were a number of comments about the lack of space in call centres and reports of workstations being too close together and chairs being in the way.  (HSE)

 


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