Work environment

Guidance on your work environment, including how to get advice and assistance with noise, temperature, lighting and ventilation issues.

Having the right work environment is well known to support you in having a productive day at work.  This section gives advice and guidance on what is considered suitable and who to contact if you do have any issues in the area you work.

Noise

Guidance and advice on noise in the workplace.

Temperatures

Health and Safety legislation states that the temperature in indoor workplaces during working hours shall be reasonable, although the Regulations do not specify a minimum or maximum temperature.

Lighting

Guidance and advice on lighting in the workplace.

Indoor air quality / ventilation

Information about Indoor air quality / ventilation

Drinking water

Advice on the supply of drinking water in the University.

Legionella management

How the University manages the risk from legionella

Vibration hazard

Links to Code of practice and template risk assessment for any vibration hazards

What is Occupational Hygiene?

Occupational Hygiene is the application of scientific, technological and managerial principles to the protection of the health of persons at work, and those outside the workplace, through the prevention or reduction of risks to health which are presented by chemical, physical or biological agents.

To note, this is not the same as Occupational Health, which is it's own specialism.

What services do we provide?

Please ensure you follow the reporting routes above prior to contacting us at occupational.hygiene@ed.ac.uk as we will work with Estates with any significant issues.

However, if you have any questions or are looking to discuss if you may have an issue, we can provide the following monitoring service:

  • Noise monitoring and advice
  • Temperature and humidity monitoring and advice
  • Dust monitoring and advice
  • Lighting measurements and advice
  • Respirator face-fit testing and guidance on wearing of respirators
  • Chemical / hazardous substances safety
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) advice
  • Advice on engaging external service providers for environmental and workplace monitoring

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