Have you ever thought about the quality of air in your workplace? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Poor quality air in an office environment can lead to a whole host of issues, including reduced productivity, low mood and even increased staff absences due to health issues, all of which can hit your bottom line.
Still not convinced you need to take air quality more seriously? Read on to discover the main reasons why air quality in the workplace matters and how you can improve the quality of air in your office.
Why Does Air Quality in the Workplace Matter?
While you may not think that air quality can have a significant impact on your workplace, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are many ways in which poor air quality can have a negative effect on your business and your employees.
1. Reduced Productivity
Have you noticed a reduction in productivity levels in your workplace? If yes, this could be because of poor air quality. There is a distinct connection between indoor environments and cognitive abilities, with poor air quality commonly associated with a decrease in cognitive function.
This means that poor air quality can actually affect your employees’ performances and reduce the overall productivity of your office.
2. Increased Absences
Poor air quality has been linked to a number of health complaints, including headaches and overall feelings of tiredness. It can also act as a trigger for people with asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions.
Therefore, if you have poor quality air in your workplace, you are much more likely to have a high level of absences than workplaces that boast good air quality. In many parts of Europe, UVC air purifiers have been used in classrooms to reduce the transmission of viruses between children and their parents in the working population, and this has significantly reduced absenteeism.
3. Low Moods
If your employees are feeling tired, suffering from headaches or experiencing low levels of concentration, it is highly likely they are not producing their best work.
Furthermore, poor air quality can directly affect a person’s mental health, causing low moods and depression.
How to Improve Air Quality in the Workplace
If you are worried about the air quality in your workplace, we advise you to undertake air quality testing, or in the instance you have carried out testing and found it to be poor, there are several measures you can take:
1. Carry Out Regular Monitoring
You should implement air quality testing and assessments to ensure that the air quality in your workplace is as it should be and that concentrations are below the legal exposure limits. Seek the link for the official legal exposure limit figures:
You can monitor CO2, carbon monoxide, temperature, other populations and even pathogens in the air.
2. Invest in a Good Ventilation System
If you want to ensure good air quality, you need to have a good ventilation system installed in appropriate locations throughout your workplace. This will help draw in and circulate outdoor air, helping remove impurities that can build up in stale air.
You also must ensure that you clean your ventilation regularly to remove any pollutants affecting the air quality. Also, it is worth considering air purification using ultra violet germicidal light which can be easily fitted or utilised by portable units similar to large fans.
3. Clean Your Workplace
This one may seem obvious, but you need to keep your workplace clean if you want to ensure good air quality. This is because a clean workplace has lower levels of mould, dust and other contaminants.
For the best results, use eco-friendly cleaning products, as these are better for the environment and the overall health and wellbeing of your employees.
4. Invest in Houseplants
House plants will not only brighten up your workplace, but they also have the natural ability to improve air quality. Indoor plants such as ivy and ferns work hard to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air, ensuring optimal air quality at all times.
5. Consider Indoor Air Safety Technology
If you have a problem with the air quality in your office and it is already affecting your employees and your business, you may want to invest in indoor air safety technology.
It is all too easy for harmful indoor air pollution to make its way into your HVAC systems, and treating these requires specialised technology to filtrate and neutralise any toxic gases.
6. Pay Close Attention to Health and Safety Protocols
One of the easiest ways to show your employees that you care about their wellbeing in the workplace is to ensure your health and safety protocols are of the highest standards.
Make sure you provide any necessary PPE (personal protective equipment) and place hand sanitisers in the bathrooms and around the office.
Employ the Latest and Greatest Air Hygiene Solutions
Here at Dakro Environmental, we are dedicated to helping businesses improve the air quality in their workplace and offer a vast range of air hygiene solutions to suit all budgets and industries.
Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today and let us help you make your workplace as safe and productive as possible.