How To Provide A Healthy Work Environment

Providing a healthy work environment is not only good for everyone's health

, it will also help your employees be more productive. Statistics say that many Americans spend ninety percent of their time indoors. The majority of these environments contain toxins, chemicals, and poor lighting--all of which undermine health. Glues in furniture, floors, and office materials, along with paint and conventional cleaners release toxins into the air. Poor air quality from chemicals like formaldehyde, ozone, cigarette smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause headaches, itchy eyes, and sore throats. Long-term exposure to these poisons can even result in cancer and eventual death. While you may not be able to eradicate all of the chemicals in the workplace, you can improve your health and that of your employees by reducing everyone's exposure through a removal of the toxins and regular maintenance of a fresh and healthy workplace.

First, remove the sources of toxins. Arrange with your distributor for alternatives to conventional products, and instead buy things like non-toxic markers, white out, and printer/ photocopy ink and non-chlorine-bleached paper. Talk to the cleaning service providers and request that products with harmful chemicals (VOCs, ammonia, chlorine bleach, and petrochemicals) are not used. Both physical contact and inhalation of these chemicals are cause for concern, and cleaning residue can impact the quality of the air. Instead, biodegradable or non-toxic products should be used, for cleaning as well as for pest control. One important way to remove dangerous toxins is to prohibit smoking on the premises. This protects your workers from secondhand smoke and improves the overall quality of the air. Merely separating smokers from nonsmokers is not enough. Smoking must be banned completely in the work environment.

Once you've eliminated some of the toxic sources, keep the workplace clean and fresh. Open windows for natural ventilation, especially in high moisture areas to prevent mildew and mold, (although, if you work in a downtown center, the pollution from outside might make things worse) and/ or use fans. Make sure air conditioning and heating units are regularly cleaned so dust is not circulated. Don't use air fresheners, but do bring plants into the office. If you remodel or redecorate, avoid synthetic carpet, choose low- or no-VOC paint, purchase furniture made of solid wood, and provide natural lighting if possible.

Taking action to improve the environment of the workplace will pay you back a hundredfold. In the short-term, your employees will feel more alert and comfortable and will be better able to work efficiently. In the long-term, you can rest assured that their health will not have been compromised.

by: Art Gib

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