Author(s):
Emília Rosa Quelhas Moreira Da Costa 
; João Santos Baptista ; Miguel Tato Diogo
Date: 2012
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10216/64909
Origin: Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto
Subject(s): Ciências Tecnológicas; Tecnologia; Tecnologia da segurança
Description
Physical effects caused by thermal environment, that may vary from cold, moderate to more severe conditions, adversely
affect health and safety and may also affect productivity and workers’ attention. This paper aims to provide a brief
review concerning the influence of thermal environment on productivity in sedentary activities, through the presentation
of the research lines and relevant studies in this field. The study was conducted through a systematic review, focused on a
research question and according to adequate keywords. Based on content analysis of selected literature it appears that
differences in temperature and humidity, whatever their source, may cause changes in the performance of workers at
various levels, including productivity, while being detrimental to the health and safety of workers. Thermoregulation is
an essential parameter, amid the ones requiring monitorization, depending on individual factors. In this study, other two
topics are highlighted as fundamental to the study of the effects of thermal environment and productivity: climatic
conditions and neutral thermal sensation. Considering the results it was concluded that there are many factors that affect
worker productivity, however the environmental conditions have a great significance. The results show that thermal
discomfort caused by air temperature is a relevant negative effect on performance. This effect is demonstrable from the
changes in behaviour, mood, fatigue, motivation, reaction speed and increased absenteeism. Further studies are needed to
clarify the conditions of ideal thermal environment related to high productivity, since the temperature known as the
comfort temperature is not directly related to this factor.
