Indoor workplaces are found in a wide variety of working environments such as offices, sales areas, hospitals, schools and preschool childcare facilities, and libraries. By definition, tasks involving hazardous substances (such as those encountered in a chemical laboratory) are not performed at such workplaces, nor do they include high-noise areas, such as workshops.
The complaints of employees at such workplaces are frequently described as sick-building syndrome. Symptoms include burning of the eyes, a scratchy throat, blocked nose, and headaches. These problems often cannot be attributed to a single cause, and require comprehensive analysis. Factors such as the workplace design, lighting, noise, thermal environment, electromagnetic fields, ionising radiation and psychological aspects such as stress must also be considered, besides the quality of the breathable air.
IFA has created a web portal to assist in the systematic investigation of health problems and subjective disorders arising at indoor workplaces, and in the identification of practical solutions. The various pages on the website supplement the content of the downloadable report “Indoor workplaces – Recommended procedure for the investigation of working environment” by publishing the latest information as it becomes available.
Available for download at the same time are individual investigation sheets on the various subjects as well as aids to find the causes of health complaints. Additionally, those interested, can contact the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) and get in touch with Simone Peters.
More Information: http://www.dguv.de/webcode/e539891
