Office Environment, Layout and Working Conditions
The office environment covers layout, lighting, air, noise and furniture. The exam tests open versus closed layouts, workflow principles, illumination levels, ergonomics and housekeeping.
Layout choices
- Open layout: low partitions, easy supervision and space saving, but noise and distractions.
- Cubicle: balances privacy with supervision.
- Private office: confidentiality and status, but costly and isolating.
- Layout principles: straight-line workflow, minimum movement, flexibility, supervision, safety, confidentiality and adequate space.
Working conditions
- Lighting: about 300–500 lux for general office work; avoid glare and shadows; use task lights.
- Ventilation and temperature: fresh air, comfortable 20–26°C, humidity around 40–60%.
- Noise: keep below about 50 dB; use carpets, acoustic panels and separate noisy printers.
- Ergonomics: feet flat, thighs horizontal, elbows about 90°, monitor top near eye level, wrist neutral.
- Cleanliness, colour, drinking water and sanitation affect morale and health.
Worked example
Clerks face a bright west window; afternoon glare causes reading errors. Reasoning: the problem is uncontrolled daylight, not low light. Fit adjustable blinds, place desks perpendicular to the window, add task lighting and move display screens away from reflections. Simply increasing overall lighting would worsen glare and waste energy.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing lux with lumens.
- Assuming open plan is always best.
- Reducing ergonomics to the chair alone.
- Placing a copier beside desks without considering noise and fumes.