Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00421:front:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00421
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 18389–21215

workbenches.
Tidiness throughout the working day can be difficult to maintain in industries where there is rapid production of finished goods and/or waste. In these situations, training all workers in good housekeeping procedures and their co-operation with these procedures is necessary to keep the workplace tidy.
Suitable containers for waste should be conveniently located and regularly emptied.
While it may be reasonable to expect workers to leave their immediate work area in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the working day, other options for carrying out the general cleaning of the workplace should be considered, for example engaging cleaners.

2.3              Work areas
The layout of work areas should be designed to provide sufficient clear space between furniture, fixtures and fittings so that workers can move about freely without strain or injury and also evacuate quickly in case of an emergency. Space for aisles, passages and access to other areas is needed in addition to the space around workstations.
In determining how much space is needed, the following should be considered:
    * the physical actions needed to perform the task
    * the need to move around while working
    * whether the task is to be performed from a sitting or standing position
    * access to workstations
    * the equipment to be handled and the personal protective equipment that may be worn to perform the work.
Environmental factors including heat or noise may require an increase to the space, as will work activities that involve manual tasks or the use of tools such as knives where the risk of injury is increased due to close working conditions.
Further guidance in relation to manual tasks and the layout of work areas is available in the Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.

2.4              Floors and other surfaces
Floor surfaces should be suitable for the work area. The choice of floor surfaces or coverings will depend on the type of work carried out at the workplace, as well as the materials used during the work process, the likelihood of spills and other contaminants, including dust, and the need for cleaning.
Floors should be inspected regularly and maintained to eliminate slip and trip hazards. Common examples of hazards include trailing cables, uneven edges or broken surfaces, gratings or covers, loose mats or carpet tiles. Floor surfaces require sufficient grip to prevent slipping, especially in areas that may become wet or contaminated. Cleaning methods should also take account of the potential for slips, which may be increased by the use of some cleaning agents.
Workers who undertake static standing work should be protected from discomfort and the jarring effects of direct contact with concrete, masonry or steel floors, for example, by providing carpet, cushion-backed