Which version of a work table suits your workplace?

The choice of a work table often starts with the way you use the table on the floor. Sometimes a fixed setup is the most convenient, because the table always stays in the same place and becomes part of a fixed work route. In other situations, a work table on wheels is more practical. That applies, for example, when you move products, trays or components between departments or want to quickly rearrange a workplace. These are our so-called mobile work tables. Huvema positions work tables within workshop furniture as a separate solution alongside workbenches and mobile workbenches.

In addition, the dimensions and load-bearing capacity count. The width of the top determines how much space you have to lay things down or to carry out tasks. The depth especially plays a role when you work with larger products or want to keep more overview on the surface. The load-bearing capacity also deserves attention. A table for lighter preparatory tasks calls for something different from a setup that has to bear weight daily. The worktop itself also makes a difference. The type of worktop depends on the use. For packing or inspection work, what counts most is a practical surface. For heavier work, a sturdier top is more suitable.

Difference between a work table on the shop floor and in other spaces

A work table on the shop floor has a different purpose from a table in an office or in catering. In a business environment, it is about practical use, a usable work surface and a setup that fits the pace of the work. In an office, the emphasis is more on sitting, screen work and meetings. In catering, something else is at play, such as preparation, service or operation.

The difference shows above all in the use:

• Shop floor: for sorting, checking, packing and laying out
• Office: for administration, meetings and computer work
• Catering: for preparation, service or supporting operation
• Workshop or hall: aimed at accessibility, load and daily use

Each space therefore calls for a different functionality. Sometimes design can also be important when customers or guests are received in the same space. So always be clear about who has to work with it and by whom the table can be seen.

The role of a work table in the daily workshop routine

Get inspired by an example of how it can go in the workshop.

At the start of the working day, the lights go on in the shop floor and the workshop gradually comes to life. On the work table, the first components are laid out for inspection, sorting or preparation. In addition, the workbench stands ready for the heavier and more fixed work, such as assembly, dismantling or a repair that requires more pressure on the surface. On the wall hangs a tool board with frequently used spanners and pliers in fixed places, so that mechanics can keep working without searching. In the drawer cabinet, small material, washers, bolts, nuts and clamps are tidily distributed, while a storage cabinet keeps larger items and stock out of sight and in order.

As the day progresses, every place in the workshop takes on its own role. A mechanic takes a part from the storage cabinet, places it on the work table for inspection and then walks on to the workbench for the actual machining. Meanwhile, on the drawing board, a diagram or technical note is consulted to check dimensions or connections. On a work schedule, it is clearly indicated which jobs are planned and who is doing what. That gives overview in the space and helps to divide the work properly. Everything has its fixed place, so that the working day does not feel chaotic but fits together logically.

At the end of the day, that arrangement again proves its value. Tools go back to the board, small material disappears into the drawers again and parts that are not yet finished are given a tidy place on or next to the work table. The workshop is cleaned for the next job and the schedule board shows what is ready and what will be picked up first tomorrow. A good workshop layout makes the difference during the day. You work faster, keep more overview and prevent things from drifting around.

Practical requirements and checklist for choosing a work table

A good table must suit the work that is carried out on it and the way employees use that place. From an occupational health and safety point of view, what matters most is that the workplace is set up according to ergonomic principles. For standing work, the Dutch Arboportaal states that the employer must arrange the workplace such that it complies with ergonomic principles and that the risks must also be included in the RI&E (risk assessment). For a standing workplace, we look at the practical guideline of a worktop at approximately elbow height.

When choosing, therefore pay attention to these points:

• Working height: Choose a height that suits the operations on the table. For a standing workplace, the Arboportaal mentions elbow height as a practical guideline.
• Variation in working posture: Standing work does not have to be done all day in one go. The advice is not to stand for longer than an hour at a stretch and not for longer than four hours per day.
• Space on and around the top: The table must be large enough for the operations that take place on it, without forcing employees to work in an awkward posture. That follows from the principle that the workplace must be ergonomically arranged.
• Adjustability where necessary: When several people work at the same place or when tasks change regularly, an adjustable setup is often more logical than a fixed size. A workplace must match the activities that take place there.
• Place in the work process: The table must be logically positioned in relation to supply, storage and flow. That helps to limit unnecessary reaching, turning and moving, in line with the ergonomic arrangement of the workplace.
• Including it in the RI&E: When there are risks of physical strain, those must, according to the Arboportaal, be reflected in the RI&E and the action plan.

A work table that fits the daily operations well makes for a healthier setup and also fits better within an occupational-health-compliant workplace.