Episode 1:

Occupational medicine, because it has to be involved in the planning of workplaces, usually receives ready-made plans that comply with the OIB Guidelines. This news series describes problems from the perspective of both occupational and environmental medicine and presents initial proposals for solutions, which, however, require further interdisciplinary work.

Text and photos Heinz Fuchsig

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Healthy and productive workplaces

Climate change is already causing massive problems that will occur more frequently, more severely and in places that have not yet been affected. Heat is even a problem for workplaces with air conditioning. Employees come to work after tropical nights – especially if the temperature in the bedroom is over 25 °C – without a good night’s sleep. Or perhaps the outside part of the neighbor’s air conditioning system has contributed to the sleep disturbance^?1 The difference in noise level between 36 and 51 dB (between the test winner and the barely cheaper test runner-up at wwwtopten.ch) makes a huge difference to both concentration and relaxation in living and working spaces. In noise medicine, the sound would still have to be assessed for tonality, roughness, etc. The resulting perception of comfort is therefore often poor.

Installation of air conditioning systems by the tenant

In a shared flat, the co-owners may not prohibit an improvement if the occupancy is otherwise significantly impaired. However, not every solution is free. For example, what should the hairdresser – even as a tenant – do other than install a split unit? Air heat pumps indoors and using the heat to produce free hot water would be a great solution. However, such devices are only available for hall ventilation, which can also run polluted air through heat exchangers.

Surgeries and medical practices

The air exchange rate is regulated in the Workplace Ordinance. The quality inspection by the ÖQMed of the Medical Association includes numerous hygiene obligations, but none for the air. Split device manufacturers often claim to be able to filter or inactivate bacteria and viruses (up to 20 nm in diameter), but there is often a lack of evidence. Model solutions are needed for cooling and ventilating these sensitive areas.

Situation with reduction of solar gains

One square meter of unshaded glass façade facing east or west (750 watts of irradiation on June 21, only 200 watts if facing south) requires 8 m² of component-activated ceiling. The heat phases are also sometimes more humid and the risk of condensation increases. Therefore, larger glass surfaces must be shaded very quickly when exposed to sunlight. If a blind is dark and has a low degree of reflection, the window behind it must not be opened when the sun is shining, as otherwise the resulting hot air cushion will enter the room and hardly escape. Effective ventilation through temperature differences requires high, undisturbed openings to form an air roll when there is no wind.

¹ At www.topprodukte.at we find an evaluation of these appliances; at www.topten.ch even the sound levels of the exterior and interior parts. The test winner – 4% more expensive than the runner-up – is almost 15 dB quieter on the outside and inside.