Work environment effects on labor productivity: an intervention study in a storage building.
BACKGROUND
Although increased attention has been focused on the relationship between occupational health and productivity, solid scientific data on this topic are sparse. The purpose of the present case study was to assess the relationship between productivity and work environment in a storage building.


METHODS
The study was implemented as an intervention consisting of the renovation of a harbor storage facility. The study design consisted of a single group of employees working in the storage hall. The physical and chemical factors, perceived environment, and labor productivity were measured before and after the renovation.


RESULTS
As a result of the renovation, thermal conditions, air quality, and lighting conditions improved notably. In addition, the employees' subjective evaluations showed the significant decrease in dissatisfaction ratings. The direct measure for the labor productivity, expressed as zinc tons/work-hour (tn) increased about 9% after the renovation.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that increased productivity is most likely related to the combined effect of the improved work environment, i.e., better thermal climate, reduced contaminant concentrations, and better lighting conditions.
Niemelä
Raimo
R
Department of Physics, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 b, Helsinki, Finland. raimo.niemela@occuphealth.fi
Rautio
Sari
S
Hannula
Mika
M
Reijula
Kari
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014691:Ventilation; D017132:Workplace
D009930:Organic Chemicals