Workspaces and environmental factors

Both the workspaces and the environment of the workplace influence the well-being and performance of people.

Important influencing factors are the structural equipment, the lighting, the thermal as well as the room acoustic climate of the working rooms and the environment. The requirements for these factors must therefore be taken into account in order to ensure health protection and thus also promote work performance.

Many disruptive factors can be avoided with good planning during the construction phase. Conversely, construction deficiencies are often very expensive or poorly corrected.

Occupational hygienists can be consulted for expert advice on problems related to these issues.

Buildings and premises

The building and individual work rooms should provide a comfortable and uniform indoor environment shielded from outside weather conditions.

Climate (comfort, heat, thermal radiation, cold, UV)

Employees shall be protected from excessive heat and sun exposure. Special protective measures shall be taken when working outdoors or in unheated rooms.

Air pollution and ventilation

A sufficient supply of fresh air free from harmful or nuisance substances or odors should be provided at all times.

Noise, Acoustics, Vibration

Noise and vibrations shall be avoided or controlled as far as possible. The following precautions in particular must be taken to protect workers: structural measures, measures on operating equipment, isolation or local separation of the noise source, work organization measures, wearing PPE.

Non-ionizing radiation (laser, electrosmog, mobile radio, magnetic fields)

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) is the term for the lowest frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum (0 Hz to 300 GHz) of non-ionizing radiation (NIR). EMFs occur everywhere in our environment - from natural and, increasingly, artificial sources - intentionally during the transmission of radio signals or as a by-product of powering electrical equipment. That is why we often speak of electrosmog.

Light and illumination / view into the open

According to labor laws, everyone has a right to a view of the outdoors at work. This is important for both sleep patterns and eye health. Performance and well-being also depend heavily on the quality of lighting in the workplace. With increasing age, the requirements for good lighting become greater.

Rooms without natural lighting may only be used as workrooms if special structural or organizational measures ensure that the requirements of safety and health protection as a whole are met.

Non-smoker protection

The employer shall ensure, within the scope of operational possibilities, that non-smokers are not inconvenienced by the smoking of other persons.

Single workplaces

Special measures must be taken for persons who are alone in the workplace. If work involving special hazards must be performed, the employee must be supervised.

Merkblatt 001: Persons Working Alone