Workplace Climate

A workplace climate adapted to workers’ needs will have sustainable, positive effects on their health, performance, satisfaction, and well-being. Climate conditions that are too hot or too cold can cause damage to individuals' health.

Worker on a smelting furnace
© Uwe Völkner, Fotoagentur FOX

Employees are exposed to various physical factors in the workplace. These pages provide information for employers and employees about requirements concerning the workplace climate, the legal situation, and the protective measures that can be taken in response to particular climate conditions.

The air temperatures in workplaces such as offices, retail units, and workshops can rise to detrimental levels in summer, causing employees to suffer from the heat. The consequences of high temperatures in the workplace range from deteriorating performance, declining motivation, fatigue, and poor concentration to increased perspiration and strains on the cardiovascular system. Studies have also demonstrated a noticeably raised risk of accidents occurring when indoor air temperatures are too high.

Further Information

Research Projects

Project numberF 2475 StatusCompleted Project Interactions of indoor climate, noise and lighting in workplaces

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Research completed

Project numberF 2299 StatusCompleted Project Impact of AmI-based-ventilation and air conditioning machines (RLT) on indoor climate applied on the phenomenon "dry climate" - AmI-based regulation of indoor climate

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Research completed

Project numberF 2039 StatusCompleted Project Assessment of the thermal stress in working premises where there are elevated outdoor temperatures

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Research completed

Publications

Search results

Agreement of objective measurement and subjective assessment of the work environment regarding climate, illumination and noise

Article 2019

The study at hand tests to which degree employees' judgements of work environment factors match objectively measured …

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Climate Change meets Occupational Safety and Health

Cooperation 2022

Climate change and its various effects are a challenge for the international community. This also affects the world of work. …

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Climate Change and Safety at Work

Report 2022

Global Climate Change has many effects: It leads to a warmer climate with growing exposure to heat and solar UV, especially when …

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