Abstract: Poor work conditions can be harmful to health and job satisfaction. Frequent absenteeism can result. Where noise and dust or fumes are problems, protective workplaces can be provided. An improved protective workplace is provided which reduces contaminated air and noise while simultaneously improving lighting, access to tools and to workpieces. Also, the workplace is of modular construction so that size and shape can be varied to suit a wide range of applications. Further, a system including a plurality of such workplaces, can share common ventilation input conduits, exhaust conduits and conveyors for carrying workpieces.