Optimum room-climate conditions are closely related to employee health and satisfaction. Any deviations from this right through to strains due to cold and heat at the workplace result in an impairment of efficiency, work dissatisfaction and a possible hazard to health and safety. The influencing factors for people and the forms of delimitation for different climate zones are very varied. There exist extensive scientific studies and in the legislative or standardization domain a large number of stipulations have been laid down. The aim of the project was to uncover shortcoming in the area of climate at the workplace (cold and hot workplaces as well as the comfort range), based on a systematization of climate problems and scrutiny of codes of practice, legislative provisions and standards. In the result of the study focal points have been proposed for further research topics and for regulatory and standardization projects. Emphasis is given here to the effect (reduction of efficiency, accident frequency) and to the evaluation and the necessary measures with elevated room temperatures in excess of 26°, the further development of cumulative climatic measures for the evaluation of work in hot, humid climates, their influence on human physiology and measures to be derived from this, e.g. a heat dissipation system. Also of interest are the effects/measures with dry room air in the heating period and a further perfection of simulation calculations in the comfort range as well as a critical examination of existing practical instructions for climate evaluation within the framework of the hazard assessment to establish that they are up to date and usable in practice.

Please download the complete report "Climate at the workplace" (in German only).