How the Environment Affects Productivity
People don’t realize the impact environments can have on their ability to focus and concentrate. Several environmental factors can affect both mental and physical health. Even your work environment can increase or decrease your productivity. Here are a few ways the environment can affect you and your productivity levels.
Light
Insufficient lighting can lead to eyestrain, headaches, and drowsiness. However, harsh lighting can lead to migraines and even irritability. Improper lighting can affect the ability to focus, therefore decreasing productivity. Use natural lighting as much as possible. Windows with a view of nature promote relaxation and enhance concentration.
Indoor Air Quality
An open window can help improve the air quality of your work environment. Workspaces often have poor ventilation systems that can adversely affect health and productivity. Dry, stagnant air can negatively impact people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Ill health will decrease productivity. Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Add a few plants to your indoor workspace to increase the oxygen level and clean the air.
It is highly recommended to have indoor air quality tested in many workplace circumstances.
Temperature
Like air quality, an uncomfortable temperature can also hurt productivity. However, most offices are considered too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter. Temperature preferences vary according to the individual. Choosing a suitable temperature to accommodate all employees can be difficult. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t mandate workplace temperatures but recommends keeping the thermostat between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Noise
Noise may not affect your health in the same manner as air quality or temperature. However, the sounds in your workspace can affect your ability to concentrate, and work productively and can be dangerous to your health. Loud noises and certain sounds produce stress and are considered noise pollution. People can tolerate different levels of noise. Some people need quiet to work, whereas others are fine with background music.
And for those working in construction where the noises of machinery and more are beyond the standard limits, noise testing is crucial because the noise can be dangerous to the worker’s health.
A reputable noise testing and sampling company can provide noise dosimetry surveys and noise reduction and training to comply with the OSHA Noise Standard 29 CFR 1910.95. This standard requires that hearing protection is mandatory in all facilities where workers are subjected to a noise level that exceeds 90 dp-A.
The Environment and Productivity
There will always be distractions that will adversely affect productivity. However, working from home can give you more control over your environment. You can customize your home office to enhance your productivity. Although you have some control over a home workspace, you may still have distractions like nearby construction.
And as for commercial spaces where you personally cannot control the indoor air quality and noise, there are ways the building and property owner can eliminate and minimalize the dangers. This is when it is vital to call in indoor air quality and noise control specialists such as Atlantic Environmental.
Contact Atlantic Environmental today for indoor air quality and noise testing services. We service NJ, NY, PA, CT DE and GA