Lighting, heating and colour all contribute to a good environment
As well as the physical factors within the office environment, lighting and temperature can also influence workers' health, comfort and performance. The lighting of an area should ensure that people can function safely, optimise the perception of visual information, maintain an appropriate level of performance and provide acceptable visual comfort. The recommended lighting level for general office work is approximately 500 lux , which is suitable for VDU operation. Other areas of offices, such as walkways, require higher lighting levels. Additional lighting at workstations may be needed, which can be provided by individual task lighters. As well as adequate lighting, problems caused by glare should be minimised. Glare, that is an unsuitable distribution of light from either windows or artificial lights, causes discomfort and a potential reduction in the ability to see details or objects. Protection against glare from the sun or surfaces exposed to the sun should be provided by curtains, blinds or windows treatments. However, it should be remembered that windows are essential in maintaining visual contact with the outside and should not be permanently excluded! Glare from artificial light sources should be addressed by positioning suitable lights or reorienting the workstation.
It is accepted that thermal conditions at the workstation directly influence the comfort and performance of users - BS EN 9241 part 6: ergonomic requirements for office work with VDTs; workstation layout and postural requirements; guidance on the work environment. Recommended operative temperatures depend mainly on the activity level and clothing of the person. The suggested temperature for sedentary office work is between 19 and 23 degrees C with no more than a five-degree difference between floor and seated height as this, combined with draughts, can significantly reduce thermal comfort. The air in the office should not be stale or too dry. The relative humidity in an office should be between 40 and 60 per cent. Because of individual preferences, it is not always possible to provide a thermal environment, which satisfies everyone even if all are wearing the same clothing and perform the same activity. It is advisable, therefore, that temperatures are maintained to the approval of 90 per cent of the workers.
The use of colour within the office can promote concentration, prevent deterioration in performance, reduce errors and relax stress situations. Although no specific colours have been conclusively found to achieve this, it is generally accepted that walls should be brighter than the floor and ceilings brighter than the walls. For large surfaces and as background colour, pale shades are preferable. However, when the work is of a monotonous nature, stimulating colours (in small doses) should be introduced.
