Poor Ventilation Effects in the Workplace
Poor air quality is one of a few factors that would lead over 75% of North Americans to leave their jobs. Others include a lack of work/life balance, cleanliness, and mental healthcare. Do you know about the effects of poor ventilation in the workplace?
Workplace air quality is a priority now more than ever since COVID. But it goes beyond implementing measures to reduce transmission.
The effects of poor ventilation in the workplace can affect the health of employees. It may lead to impaired cognition and decreased productivity.
This can be even worse when there’s no ventilation in the workplace. Read on to learn more about providing air ventilation in the workplace, including for a closed room.
No Ventilation in the Workplace
Breathing clean air is the right of every employee. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines ventilation requirements for specific industries.
These standards help protect workers from the effects of poor air quality. Companies that have poor or no ventilation could be in violation.
The Effects of Poor Ventilation in the Workplace
In the US, almost one in four persons experience Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms. SBS is a term that describes health issues. It occurs after occupants spend time in a building.
The leading cause of SBS is poor ventilation or poor HVAC maintenance. Here are a few other things that can result from poor ventilation:
Increased Transmission of Airborne Illnesses
Stagnant air reduces the ability of viruses to disperse quickly. This means there will be higher concentrations in the air, making transmission easier. This can result in multiple employees becoming infected.
Caring for employees means ensuring the air they breathe isn’t contaminated. It’s the reason fresh air in buildings was highly recommended during the pandemic.
Longer Lasting Odors
No ventilation in the workplace can cause unpleasant odors to linger. It becomes an even more significant issue in smaller spaces.
Air fresheners may mask the odor for a short time. But spraying them also introduces new elements into the confined space.
A part of employee wellness is ensuring these odors aren’t due to mold or other contaminants. Regular cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems can help prevent this.
Poor Cleaning Methods
The most obvious solution to eliminating dust and odors is cleaning. But specific cleaning methods could exacerbate the problem by circulating the contaminated air.
Simple measures such as ensuring vacuums have HEPA filters can help.
The Best Air Ventilation for a Closed Room
Airflow in a closed room without windows may be challenging. Using fans for better workplace ventilation can help. But they shouldn’t blow directly onto employees.
The key to proper ventilation is creating a balanced airflow. Ideally, a room should have a fan that allows air to enter and an exhaust that expels it. This allows you to control the source of the air, ensuring its pollutant free.
Doing the Best for Employees to Get the Best From Them
Any discomfort employees experience can affect their productivity. Poor or no ventilation in the workplace isn’t an exception. It not only causes discomfort but can adversely affect employees’ health.
The effects of poor ventilation in the workplace are numerous. There are a few measures you can put in place to avoid them. It starts with providing proper air ventilation for closed rooms.
However, if you’re uncertain how to do this, Atlantic Environmental can help. We specialize in improving ventilation in commercial spaces. We can do the same for you. Contact Atlantic Environmental to learn how we can help keep you, your employees and your customers safe in the workplace.