Hygiena 2018, 63(2):54-59 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1605

Open space workplace - current issues in terms of physical factors of the work enviroment

Oľga Šušoliaková¹, Pavla Pechová^1,2, Zuzana Mathauserová¹

¹ Státní zdravotní ústav, Centrum hygieny práce a pracovního lékařství, Oddělení hygieny práce, Národní referenční laboratoř pro prašnost a mikroklima v pracovním prostředí, Praha, Česká republika

² České vysoké učení technické, Stavební fakulta, Katedra technických zařízení budov, Praha, Česká republika

Well-being in the workplace is a prerequisite for the maximum performance of workers. Currently, the practice notes a higher number of open space type workplaces which are often in modern buildings with a glass envelope. In spite of the discussed benefits of this workplace arrangement, such as better teamwork and better communication between employees, problems and complaints are reported about the quality of the indoor environment from such administrative buildings. Of the physical factors of the working environment, microclimate, poor lighting, interference with noise and poor quality of air are the main factors which can cause deterioration of the working environment. Negative effects of environmental factors on humans can be influenced also by a psychological factor, due to the loss of privacy, the inability to "ventilate as needed", the inconvenience of air conditioning etc. As a result, the opposite is achieved - not teamwork with maximum productivity, but lower work performance and poorer relationships at the workplace.

Keywords: indoor air quality, ventilation of buildings, open space workplace

Published: June 30, 2018  Show citation