OHS REPS @ WORK

There is no legislated minimum space for office accommodation - but there is guidance material available.  However, don't forget that under  Section 21 of the OHS Act the employer must provide a for employees a 'working environment that is safe and without risks to health'. 

Advice on how offices should be set up, and how much space there should be can be found in:

1. The Compliance Code for Workplace amenities and work environment  has advice on workspace generally and also access, aisles and passageways (Sections 114 - 121).
2. Officewise - guidelines for OHS in offices which cover all sorts of things:  Section 4 addresses Office layout, workstations and equipment.  The advice for floor space, refers to an Australian Standard, which recommends an overall 10 square metres per person of offices.  (note: this publication has been picked up by all of the Australian OHS Authorities) 

There are also Australian Standards - but these provide guidelines only, as they are not 'called up' in any regulations.

Note the relevant Australian Standard applicable to work stations is AS3590.2-1990 'Screen based workstations Part 2: Workstation furniture'. The optimal layout specified by the Standard is as noted below:

Height of work surface
If fixed - 680mm to 720mm above floor level
If adjustable - 580mm - 730mm above floor level

Area of work surface
Width - 1500mm minimum 
Depth - 900mm minimum 
Bench thickness over leg span - 25mm maximum 

Volume of leg space
Width - 800mm minimum 
Depth - 550mm minimum 
Height - 580mm minimum 

Viewing distance to work
350mm - minimum 
750mm - maximum 
Height of display - 30mm - 40mm below eye level 

Seat pan height
Surface of seat to floor - 380mm - 510mm 
Seat pan depth - 330mm - 430mm 
Footrest area - 300mm x 375mm 

Additionally, Australian Standard 1668.2-2002 - The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings recommends 10sqm net floor per occupant in general air-conditioned office areas.