Dangers of Poor Ventilation in the Workplace (and how employers can address them

Posted by Rose DC on July 24th, 2019

Air quality is a serious concern not just outdoors but also indoors. Given that most workplaces are enclosed, proper ventilation is something that employers ought to pay attention to. Most workplaces are also near busy streets, factories, and other sources of air contaminants which, in one way or another, can affect indoor air quality. 

Prolonged exposure to polluted air poses serious health risks. Not only that, but a humidity level that’s either too high or too low can also affect both humans and equipment. To help employers understand the importance of ventilation, below is a list of the dangers of poor ventilation in the workplace: 

 

Dangers of Poor Ventilation 

Respiratory Illnesses

It doesn’t take an intentional introduction of contaminants to pollute the air in a work area. Dust can build up from clothing fibers and particles from outdoors, and airconditioning units naturally collect dust in their filters. Also, if even a single worker is a smoker, that person is inevitably bringing hazardous contaminants even if the actual smoking is done far from the workplace. 

What’s more, an inappropriate level of humidity can create breeding grounds for molds, mildew, and dust mites. These can cause illnesses like cold, cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis, and other health conditions that may be mild to severe.

People with existing asthma, allergies, and skin sensitivities are also likely to have worsened conditions when exposed to low levels of humidity.

Physical and Mental Stress

Poor ventilation makes any job more difficult to do. Stress works in dual ways here: first, it makes the job more challenging and, second, it adds pressure because now the work consumes more time and energy than usual.

If a room doesn't have a way to let fresh air in and stagnant air out, you can expect employees to experience fatigue and exhibit poor work performance. 

Damage on Equipment and Supplies

Humidity can affect electronic devices, furniture, and paper supplies. Higher humidity means a higher likelihood of devices corroding and rusting. It can also damage walls, ceiling, wooden doors, and promote mold build-up in high-moisture areas like comfort rooms.

 

How to Improve Air Quality and Air Circulation

Enclosed workplaces are required by law to have suitable ventilation so as to maintain healthy indoor air quality. To comply with this and to keep a workplace employee-friendly, here are some tips:

Have windows and openings

Having windows and openings is the most natural way to dilute air impurities. They ideally shouldn’t be open all the time, especially if an air conditioning unit is working. However, they are still convenient to have when the indoor air doesn’t seem as fresh as it can be.

If creating windows is not possible, using an exhaust fan to draw out air is another alternative.

Use and maintain proper HVAC equipment

The right HVAC equipment can provide workplaces with the comfortable temperature that their workers need. Depending on a location’s climate, a company can enjoy the comfort and safety that cooling and heating devices can bring.

In choosing which devices to use, companies should consider their workplace layout and their employee population. A small air conditioning unit may work for a small office, but a more advanced one, in tandem with other industrial equipment like fans, may be needed for bigger spaces.

Employers should also make sure that they have a system to keep their HVAC equipment clean.

Invest in cleaning equipment and tools

The traditional ways of cleaning, such as dusting and sweeping, are not always ideal for workplaces. For one, dusting only transfers dust from a surface to another, which is not great for an enclosed space. 

An alternative here is to use vacuum cleaners and wipes that directly collect dust without spreading it.

Have a designated and strategically-located smoking area

Tobacco smoke is one of the biggest contributors to indoor pollution. As such, employers ought to come up with ways on how to address it.

It would be ideal to have internal policies protecting non-smokers. If prohibiting smokers is not possible, designating a smoking area--away from smokefree areas such as an office-- would be a good step to take.

Poor ventilation can have mild to detrimental effects on people and a business’s material assets. Before anything unpleasant happens, the wise thing for businesses to do is to recognize if they have any ventilation problem and start seeking ways on how to address it.

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Rose DC

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Rose DC
Joined: July 24th, 2019
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