Increased cooling at workplace can enhance worker productivity by 12%: IIM-A study

With concerns of heat stress rising, amidst deteriorating climatic conditions, an increase in level of thermal comfort at workplaces can improve worker productivity by 12 per cent, a study by the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has found.
 

Conducted by faculty members Dheeraj Sharma and Rajesh Chandwani of IIM-A, and titled ‘Heat Stress and its effect on Psychological Aspects of Workers in India’, the study suggests a direct correlation of thermal comfort at the workplace and its effect on productivity of the workers. Further, the research also highlights the urgent need for policymakers and concerned organisations to extend the scope of climate change and ambient temperature discourse to include workers’ concerns.
 

“Little attention has been devoted to the effect of increasing temperatures on worker productivity and health. Our study attempts to quantify the improvement in productivity that can be gained through establishment of cooling solutions at indoor workplaces. Indeed, according to our study, worker productivity can be enhanced up to 12 per cent, by increasing the level of thermal comfort at the workplace,” said Sharma.
 

According to the study, tropical countries like India are likely to suffer the most from health hazards and productivity losses due to rising temperatures.
 

Moreover, heat stress can not only cause physical health hazards but can also have negative impact on the mental and psychological health of the workers.
 

The study, hence, calls for immediate attention by state and central government, policymakers, employee welfare bodies and organisations to address this issue. According to Sharma, insights of the study could help the Indian government, which is attempting to emphasise the growth of manufacturing sector through Make in India initiative for sustainable growth in the economy.
 

“Though there is substantial evidence that extreme temperatures in the workplace can adversely affect performance, there is little consensus regarding an ideal temperature at workplace. The optimal temperature for worker performance may vary. However, in the tropical countries, most of the studies have found that the optimal range of ambient temperature for enhanced worker productivity is about 25- 30 degrees Celsius,” said Chandwani.
 

Meanwhile, based on its findings, the study suggests that organisations should invest in areas such as educating the workers about heat stress and its effect on physical health; training on methods to mitigate the effects of heat stress; and ensure supply and encourage the use of personal protective equipment.
 

“Organisations should also provide additional facilities at workplace such as plenty of drinking water and other hydrating solutions, and ensure appropriate clothing, for preventing heat-related health hazards like dehydration,” the study further suggests.