CASE STUDY: LIMITED SPACE IN WORKSHOPS

SAFETY:

There must be ample space provided in a workshop for users. This would provide the user with space to manuvere around and proper storage space for materials would not be a problem. 

Safety in a workshop is of utmost importance. Having the neccesary space provided for a user decreases the potential risk of accidents happening. Materials that could be fire hazards would be stored properly and wouldn't be strewn around. Risks of getting burns at a soldering or welding station could be reduced as the user would have the space to carry out his operation. 

Hence in conclusion, basic safety in a workshop can be enhanced by simply providing ample space, proper placing of equipment, adequate storage facilities or spaces and proper individual stations for seperate operations. 

Workshop in NAFA in comparison to other workshops:

I visited a carpentry and furniture workshop in the Tuas area. The factory was segregated into two different departments, one for rough carpentry work and the other for furniture assembly. The carpentry department was extremely messy. Wood pieces and shavings were everywhere. Large blocks of wood, wooden planks and veneers were stacked haphazardly in the corners. There was an absence of proper spacial management in the workshop and it was evident that the carpentry workshop was an accident waiting to happen. The assembly plant however was extremely organized. There were proper soldering and welding stations, materials were well kept and organized, there was an exceptional level of cleanliness and basically had everything that was clearly lacking in the carpentry department. Comparing NAFA's workshop to this furniture workshop, I dare say I feel blessed to be able to work in NAFA's workshop. NAFA's workshop is organized, neat and generally safe for work. Proper safety measures have been taken by the school to ensure the safety of the students working in the workshops and that is something that i greatly appreciate.

Books, Magazines and Websites Regarding Workshop Spacial Inadequacy

This website stresses the importance of having adequate working space within a workshop. The writer believes that adequate working space would go a long way in increasing the level of productivity and the efficiency of the occupant. An adequate working space would provide ample space for storage, a generally clutter free working area and would greatly decrease the chances of accidents from occuring as the user would have space to maneuver and move around. 

http://businessresources.over-blog.com/article-the-importance-of-having-a-comfortably-sized-workshop-86093937.html


This online article on thedartmouth.com was written to show how a lack of proper workshops and general working space is hampering the growth of the arts at the Hopkins Center College in the US. It states that there has been an increase in the student intake but there hasn't been a corresponding increase in the amount of space provided for the students. This has caused an extreme shortage in available working space and the students have struggled in coping with this situation. Due to spacial deprivation, classes are packed, workshops are packed and this issue has generally caused students to be inefficient and as a result, grades have been affected. 

http://thedartmouth.com/1997/08/04/student-interest-in-arts-grows-despite-facility-constraints/

These two books both stress on the importance of having ample working space within a workshop. From increasing productivity to minimalizing risks of accidents, all reasons for a healthy working space are cited in these two books. Page 41 of the workshop book stresses on flexibility of space within a workshop both for future extension of the workshop and for the workshop to actually be conducive for proper work. 

These two magazines provide readers with the ample knowledge that they will need to design and construct their very own home workshop. Heavy emphasis is placed on having proper workspace and on how to prevent your workshop from unneccesary clutter and mess. 

From the above mentioned sources, it is clear that workshop users must always have ample workspace and proper work stations. It is both key in ensuring the safety of the user and also to increase the productivity of one. Anyone can imagine the pains of having to work in a heavily cluttered, cramped and messy workshop. So in conclusion, a spacious, prim and proper workshop should and must always be the way to go.

Emphasizing : Limited workspace

A workshop may be a room or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods (derived from wikipedia). Workshops may also refer to short term courses or classes focusing on the development and improvement of specific skill sets such as communication leadership. In this post, my main focus will be on physical workshops and the importance of having an appropriate and ample work space.

I am currently studying in an art institution and working in a workshop is but a daily affair. Overcrowded workshops and a lack of available equipment are problems that students face on a daily basis. These problems affect the productivity of students and increase the chances of mishaps that could possibly occur. I strongly feel that having ample space and equipment to work with whilst working on a project in a workshop is of utmost importance. This ensures that users will have space to maneuver around and would lower the waiting time that students would otherwise spend whilst sharing equipment. With ample equipment and space provided, productivity will be increased, accidents will be cut down, work processes will be smoother and definitely, more enjoyable. There will hardly be need to share equipment and students will be generally less distracted and more focused on the task at hand. Another form of solution would definitely be to decrease our current class sizes. A smaller class will guarantee more space, smaller queues and generally, an increase in focus on the students from the teachers. This will increase a students learning capacity as their mistakes can be pointed out easily, extra attention can be given to students in need and not to mention, a general decrease in the number of mishaps. 

The above mentioned are but just a few suggestions as to how the current situation in our school workshops could be improved. Proper workspaces will definitely ensure better production and increased productivity which would in turn result in optimal production and results from students.