Impact of environmental conditions on workers' productivity and health
PA Meegahapola, RAR Prabodanie - International Journal of …, 2018 - emerald.com
PA Meegahapola, RAR Prabodanie
International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 2018•emerald.comPurpose Some manufacturing processes generate extreme temperatures, noise and other
irritating environmental conditions. These environmental factors can have a negative impact
on workers' performance and health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of
temperature, noise and lighting on factory workers' productivity and day-to-day health in a
rubber compound manufacturing plant. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data on
productivity, measurements of factory environmental conditions, and records of medical …
irritating environmental conditions. These environmental factors can have a negative impact
on workers' performance and health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of
temperature, noise and lighting on factory workers' productivity and day-to-day health in a
rubber compound manufacturing plant. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data on
productivity, measurements of factory environmental conditions, and records of medical …
Purpose
Some manufacturing processes generate extreme temperatures, noise and other irritating environmental conditions. These environmental factors can have a negative impact on workers’ performance and health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of temperature, noise and lighting on factory workers’ productivity and day-to-day health in a rubber compound manufacturing plant.
Design/methodology/approach
Secondary data on productivity, measurements of factory environmental conditions, and records of medical advice and treatments over a period of three months were used in this study. Causal analysis was performed using statistical techniques ANOVA and regression analysis in SPSS statistical package.
Findings
The results revealed that higher levels of temperature and noise inside the factory can cause lower productivity levels. High temperature may not only reduce the productivity but also contribute to illnesses or heat-stress symptoms such as headaches. The results further suggested that both noise and lighting level do not have a statistically significant impact on workers’ health. No statistical evidence was found on lighting level having an impact on workers’ productivity.
Research limitations/implications
The study was particularly focused on a rubber compound manufacturing plant. However, the results were consistent with the results obtained in similar studies which focused on leather and shoe industry and automobile assembly industry.
Originality/value
The impact of environmental conditions on workers’ performance and health has been studied with respect to few industries and regions. This is the first of that kind carried out in Sri Lanka. Clear evidence of productivity losses and health impacts caused by high temperatures, raises the need for improving the working conditions.
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