Peoples’ awareness of indoor air pollution in the workplace and the subsequent effects of poor air quality has never been reported more than in recent times and recent statistics show that people spend 90% of their time indoors these days. Air pollution concerns haven’t just come about though, they have been around for a number of years, in particular with increased usage of cars and wagons in urban areas.
Workplace Air Pollution
However, the requirement to combat air in urban areas is of a different battle to air quality in workplaces – the main difference is that employees generally have much less control over the quality of the air they breathe in whilst at their workplace. Offering employees protection falls to the HSE and their ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health‘ (COSHH) regulation 2002.
Whilst considering that air pollution can damage employees’ health, in addition to having a large impact on employees’ productivity and availability to work. Many employers have developed a keener interest to ensure that the air in their workplace is less polluted. This is due to the number of legal cases that been launched by employees who have had implications caused to their health due to poor air quality and air pollution found in their working environment. Woodworking environments, for example, can reduce air pollution through wood dust extraction.
Could You Be At Risk in Your Workplace?
Whether it’s a business, a non-profit or a government agency working in woodworking, pharmaceutical and automotive workshops to schools, colleges or military industries, air pollution is common and can pose significant health implications to employees.
The Health Risks
According to the HSE, employers are responsible for taking effective measures to control exposure and protect health. There are an estimated 14,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by work each year, resulting in at least an estimated 400,000 working days lost.
Risk assessments should be regularly completed to assess the quality of the air in the workplace. If airborne contaminants are beyond the Workplace Exposure Limits, they could have adverse health effects on workers health. We’ve put together a 7 Essential Elements of COSHH Infographic to help businesses
Respiratory diseases, such as lung diseases and occupational asthma, or even lung cancer can cause long-term health problems.
Control Measures for Workplace Air Pollution
To find out how you can help improve your workplace’s air pollution problems, get in touch with us today to arrange your FREE site assessment and no-obligation quotation.
Our of P602 LEV Design Engineers will offer first-class customer service and support at every step of your project. We’ll even give you a 12-month installation warranty!
To find out more about the Go Home Healthy initiative, please get in touch with us on 01942 267444, or complete a form on our Let’s Chat page. In addition, keep in touch with us on our social media channels, Facebook, X or LinkedIn for updates.
