Performance Shaping Factors Series
Reading 2.4: Ambient environment
Ambient environment and performance
The environment employees work within can vary considerably and can present many challenges that have varying effects on
performance.
Common ambient environment factors
Weather
Weather conditions can affect the physical ability to perform a task, or can impair the
senses whilst completing a task.
Noise
Noise can act as both a mask to auditory information at work, but also as a
distraction. Sudden noise can distract employees, while background noise can make
it more difficult to concentrate and can also mask other (more important) sounds.
Hello
Distractions
Interruptions from other employees, telephone calls and other distractions that take
attention away from the primary task can negatively affect performance.
Lighting
High levels of lighting can mask information by glare and reflection, while low levels
can make things difficult to see and read. Flickering and shadowing can also have a
negative effect on performance.
Temperature
Temperature highs and lows can result in discomfort, and can affect performance for a
range of different tasks.
Air quality
Air quality in the workplace (ie: humidity levels, ventilation, smog, smoke, particulate
and gaseous toxins and the like) can affect comfort in the workplace (as well as
health) which can in turn affect performance.
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Performance Shaping Factors Series
Reading 2.4: Ambient environment
Did you know? Countermeasures
The effect high temperatures and humidity have on human performance (both • For employees who work
physical and cognitive) is well known. Recent research also suggests that even outdoors, ensure adequate
seemingly insignificant changes, such as an increase of five degrees in ambient equipment, PPE and shelter
temperature are also associated with reduced cognitive performance and increased is available for all weather
rates of perceived effort. conditions.
This research also suggests that the effect that ambient environment has on • Review workspaces to ensure
performance can be reduced through adaptation, ongoing fluid replacement noise levels are appropriate,
strategies and other means to reduce core body temperature and exposure and if excessive noise cannot be
(increased breaks, cold rooms, mechanical fans, etc). avoided, ensure adequate PPE
is available.
• Consider whether noise can
interfere with safety critical
Pre-accident questions for ambient environment: tasks and communications and
• What tasks are done outside? Are the weather conditions extreme – very adapt as required.
hot, very humid or very cold? Is anyone conducting tasks in these conditions • Review workspaces to ensure
when they are not used to it (ie: used to working in the cold, now working in minimal glare, good balance of
the heat or vice versa)? natural lighting and appropriate
• Is the environment for safety critical tasks noisy? Is there a lot of background light levels overall.
noise? Can people become distracted by other employees, be interrupted • Ensure work areas can be
frequently or be distracted by sudden noises which don’t apply to them temperature controlled, or kept
(ie: alarms from a separate area)? Has anyone reported having trouble at a suitable temperature.
concentrating on particular tasks in certain environments?
• Establish air quality in various
• Are work sites not able to be temperature controlled? Are individuals in work areas and ensure adequate
these areas subject to highs and lows without a break? humidity, ventilation and
• Are work sites more susceptible to air quality issues? Is anyone expected to monitoring systems are in place.
remain in these areas for extended periods of time? • Ensure ongoing fluid
replacement strategies are in
place.
References and further reading
UK Health and Safety Executive Human Factors: Lighting, thermal comfort, working space, noise and vibration
http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/lighting.htm
