Paper 14: The Working Environment

It is pointed out that suitable thermal environments for people at work have not been accurately established. Although the broad characteristics are known, the data available to the system designer are incomplete. This is due, at least in part, to changes in architectural practice and in methods of heating and air conditioning which have occurred in the last 20–30 years. A literature review of the effect of the environment on work output, health, and accidents shows that large departures from good conditions provoke significant drops in production; the effect of small departures is not clearly defined. Points requiring further study are listed, and it is shown that such a study might well be economically rewarding.