Most Workers ‘Comfortable’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31085, 14 June 1966, Page 15

Most Workers ‘Comfortable’

A survey of atmospheric working conditions in factories has shown that provided humidity, radiant heat and air movements are not excessive, the majority of New Zealand workers are “comfortable” at air temperatures ranging between 61 degrees and 72 degrees Fahrenheit The survey, reported in the latest issue of the “Labour and Employment Gazette," was conducted by the Department of Labour among more than 5000 workers throughout New Zealand and the results evaluated by the Department

of Scientific and Industrial Research. In establishing new standards of atmospheric comfort that factory inspectors will be asking for, the survey has had to take many factors into account. Different comfort levels are given for summer and winter, and three different levels for people doing different types of work. For example, the survey shows that a clerical worker sitting at a desk all day will be comfortable working in an air temperature of 66 degrees--70 degrees Fahrenheit in summer while a motor mechanic, who is usually more active, will be comfortable at 61 de-grees-68 degrees Fahrenheit. The new standards give the temperatures at which 86 per cent of the persons surveyed in each group described themselves as “comfortable.” For abnormal conditions of air movement and radiant heat a table of “equivalent” temperatures is given. The journal notes that in winter, when air temperatures fall much below the appropriate level for the particular type of worker and for the conditions in which he works, suitable heating facilities will have to be made available, and in summer, when it rises much above that level, fans or ventilation may have to be provided. “Although some limited research had been done (mainly for office-type work) little was known previously here or overseas of the requirements for people working actively,” said the gazette. The survey was made necessary by a 1961 Amendment to the Factories Act 1946 .which made it necessary to hive regard to factors other than air temperature in evaluating environmental comfort