Climate, light, and noise in the workplace

Environmental factors in the workplace, such as light, noise, heat, and cold may influence the health of employees. Employers must be aware of these risks and adapt their health and safety policy accordingly.

Environmental factors at work

You must take physical factors into account, both for work inside as well as for work outside. Examples of physical factors (in Dutch) are:

• climate (cold, heat, draught, humidity levels, circulation of fresh air, sunlight)
• light
• noise
• vibrations
• optical radiation, non-ionising radiation (electromagnetic fields, chapter 6, section 4b) and ionising radiation

Risk assessment and evaluation

Are there any (potentially) harmful environmental factors in your workplace? You must describe these risks to your employees in a risk assessment and evaluation (RI&E) as part of your health and safety policy. In the action plan attached to the RI&E you indicate which measures you take to minimize the potential health risk. The Netherlands Labour Authority must approve your action plan and RI&E.