19 degrees at the workplace: harmless for healthy people
Since the start of the heating season, many entrepreneurs and employees have been asking themselves how energy can be saved in the workplace. Employers and employees also fear negative health effects when it gets a little colder in the office.
According to the German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM), healthy people do not usually have to worry about room temperature if it is lowered to 19 °C, for example, due to energy savings. However, for certain activities requiring special dexterity, lower room temperatures could lead to minor performance losses.
The somewhat cooler temperatures can be compensated for, for example, by warm clothing and other measures such as warm drinks and regular exercise breaks. Scientific studies have shown that, depending on the activity, 17-19 °C at the workplace is sufficient to reduce the impact on the environment.
However, according to the WHO, lower room temperatures could be problematic for people with pre-existing conditions. Immunocompromised individuals could react to the cooler working conditions with increased blood pressure, a higher susceptibility to respiratory diseases and a worsening of asthma symptoms. In addition, lower temperatures may have an impact on conditions such as anemia or rheumatism.
The DGAUM therefore recommends consulting an occupational physician on the question of the correct room temperature. Two aspects are important here: if necessary, an adjustment in the case of individual peculiarities where the lower temperatures could be unfavorable, and the analysis of the respective work requirements at the location.
Source: DGAUM
