It’s no surprise that office air quality can often be poor. With so many people working together in one small space, it can be easy for dirt, debris, and dust to build up quickly, and that’s without taking into consideration any renovations or building work nearby. Poor air quality in the office can lead to an issue known as Sick Building Syndrome, which affects employees whenever they are inside. If your workforce is complaining of problems such as respiratory issues, headaches, coughing, or feeling feverish whilst they are at work, it could very well be due to an indoor air problem. This is especially true if these problems only occur whilst at work and tend to clear up once an employee has gone home.
The good news is that there are several methods to improve air quality that you might want to try for your workplace, enabling employees to stay healthy and happy in a cleaner office environment. The following ideas will help to keep your staff from getting sick due to poor air quality.
#1. Keep Air Vents Open and Unblocked:
Blocked air vents can lead to the air in your office not being circulated properly, which could, in turn, lead to health issues. Make sure that any air vents are cleaned out regularly to be free from dust and other particles that will otherwise end up being circulated around the office. Ensure that air vents are kept clear and not blocked by furniture, equipment or anything else.
#2. Maintain a Healthy Humidity Level:
A humidity level of between thirty to fifty percent helps to keep common allergens such as dust mites and mold under control. A high-quality air conditioning system or dehumidifier will help to control the humidity levels in your office and keep allergy symptoms at bay.
#3. Use a Fabric Filter:
A fabric filter can be one of the best ways to clean the air in your office since it is designed to collect pollutants from the air. There are three main types of fabric filters to choose from – pulse, shaker, and reverse air. They can collect a wide range of different pollutants, including flammable contaminants such as smoke and fumes. Even better, for the most part, fabric filters will take care of themselves. They require minimal maintenance since they even clean themselves. If you’re interested in what a fabric filter can do for your workplace, read more here.
#4. Add Some Office Plants:
Placing some indoor plants in the office can be one of the best ways to brighten the place up a little bit whilst improving the air quality at the same time. Plants add a pleasing, peaceful atmosphere to any workplace whilst absorbing toxins and producing more oxygen at the same time. As a result, everybody in your office will be able to breathe more easily.
#5. Keep Your Office Clean:
Keeping on top of office cleaning and maintenance is essential for the best quality of air in your workplace. Regularly dusting, vacuuming, sanitizing, and de-cluttering is vital to keep the air as clean and fresh as possible. Scheduling regular professional cleaning can be one of the best ways to do this. Keeping the environment clean and free from clutter ensures that fewer pollutants are able to mix with the air and eventually make your employees unwell.
#6. Use Fresh Air Where Possible:
If possible, opening up the office windows and using the fresh air from outside instead is always the best choice over cranking up the AC system or switching on a fan. Keeping windows and doors open when the weather permits it will help make it easier for the air to circulate around the building whilst letting any stale air out.
#7. Frequently Replace Air Filters:
When air filters become clogged, the airflow will basically be nonexistent. Over time, a build-up of dirt and debris behind the filters can settle inside the air ducts, which in turn can put yours and your employees’ health at even higher risk. As a general rule, you should aim to replace your air filters at least once every six to twelve months to get the best from them.
#8. Regularly Inspect Your Air Ducts:
Regular inspections of your air ducts should be carried out consistently to keep on top of any signs that they could be impacting the circulation or air quality in your office. If air ducts need to be cleaned, it’s important to call in professionals to assess and deal with the issue as quickly as possible. Left unattended, dirty, dusty air ducts can lead to terrible air quality levels, compromising the health of everybody in your building.
#9. Avoid Excess Moisture:
Anybody can accidentally knock a cup of coffee or glass of water over in the office but failing to deal with spillages and leaks immediately can actually have a bigger effect than you may realize on your air quality. Residual dampness or excess moisture supports the growth of mold and mildew, which can lead to the poorest levels of air quality and cause severe health risks to yourself and your team. Rectifying mold damage is also costlier and more time-consuming than preventing it, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to deal with spillages and leaks in the office as quickly and efficiently as possible.
#10. Run an Air Quality Test:
Having your air quality regularly tested will enable you to keep on top of the situation and better understand where you stand when it comes to employee health and well-being. If your company is experiencing a higher level of sick calls than usual, for example, it might be time to get the air quality tested to see if this could be playing a part. Air quality experts will be able to use the right tools to measure the air quality in your office, from the airflow to levels of humidity, odors, ventilation, water damage, standing water, mold and mildew growth, and more. A thorough inspection will provide you with the information that you need to start making improvements right away.
Improving the air quality in your office isn’t just good for the building, but for everybody’s health and well-being at work too.
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