Office buildings are growing in complexity as more employees are placed in fairly small spaces in the office environment
. Buildings with employees working in close proximity to other employees have unique challenges to ensure the office environment is a healthy working environment. One of the most significant challenges is the indoor air quality at the facility.
Indoor Air Quality affects every person that enters the office building and is a major concern as the number of people increases. A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) can work with your company to ensure the air is safe for all employees. Test will be taken throughout the building to ensure the actual are is not hazardous to breathe. Particles could be suspended in the air and there are many particles that are toxic if in too high of quantity. The CIH has specialized equipment that is designed to measure the air in real time and calibrated regularly to ensure accurate readings.
The ventilation system is a major factor for the indoor air quality of any building. Fresh air must be brought in from the outside to ensure there is not a buildup of any gases. The air must be circulated to all areas of the building and should be modified if any areas do not have adequate air flow. The temperature is also regulated through proper ventilation and should maintain a comfortable environment inside, regardless of the temperature outside the building.
Signs of poor indoor air quality come directly from the employees working in the office. Multiple employees complaining of headaches while at work, or many employees getting ill could be signs that the air quality is poor. The issue is compounded with the close proximity of workers and these signs should be taken very seriously by the company. Sick employees will have a reduced level of production and hurt the companys profitability and output.
Click here to contact a Certified Industrial Hygienist today to have your office buildings indoor air quality assessed. Poor indoor air quality can greatly impact the employees working in the environment and should be a serious consideration for any company. The company has a duty to keep their employees safe and to stay within the indoor air quality standards of OSHA. OSHA has very specific standards set for the requirements of indoor air quality. Employees are worth protecting by ensuring their health and safety while working in the office environment.