Knowledge of the grasping and motion spaces of the limbs of the human body constitutes an essential prerequisite for arranging and designing control units, storage areas, tools and other objects (i.e. telephones) at the workplace. A distinction is made between the small grasping space and the extended grasping space. The small grasping space is defined as the space within a distance of 35 cm to 45 cm from the shoulder, whereas the extended grasping space corresponds to a distance of 55 cm to 65 cm from the shoulder. The term “grasping space” is legally relevant only for the Construction Site Regulation (Baustellenverordnung, BauVO) with respect to work on stepladders; the respective standards are defined in ÖNORM A 8063.
