Monitoring the air quality which circulates in a workplace is a hugely important aspect of employer health and safety protocol and practice, as any exposure to hazardous substances is potentially dangerous to our health and wellbeing; both now and going forward. Unfortunately it’s a very real threat which sees many people’s health compromised on a regular basis. And with initial exposure, of course, comes the then latent risk of long term health implications. Understandably, the thought of in some way being able to wrestle control of airborne health hazards is one which might raise eyebrows among the uninitiated, however rest assured there are numerous tried and tested means by which we can ensure that the air in our immediate indoor environments is of a good quality. More peace of mind comes with learning that employers have a duty of care – as part of their COSHH assessment – to prevent/or control the exposure of staff within their employ to identifiably noxious substances in a workplace scenario; specifically in legal compliance with ‘The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) Regulation 7’.
In terms of actioning the physical aspect of carrying out air quality sampling, and the actual process which determines whether or not the air we breathe at our places of work is continually safe, is a multi-faceted one. Based on a fundamental survey from the outset, this ‘exposure measurement’ procedure manifests in the typical form of personal sampling; whereby air is removed within close proximity to an employee’s acknowledged ‘breathing zone’, so as then to be subjected to a rigorous round of testing to ascertain the recorded volume of airborne substances inhaled by an individual/collective. That’s not an exhaustive means, by any calculations though, and additional sampling may well be sanctioned to assess controls hitherto in place or, conversely requiring immediate instigation. Essentially, exposure measuring principles of engagement covers a range of alternative indoor air quality recording methods, to ultimately ensure that the air quality fulfils legal obligations, and typically includes; Fixed-station Sampling and Monitoring, Continuous Monitoring, Integrated Sampling, Grab Sampling, Monitoring of Ventilation Rate and Personal Monitors and/or Sampling Devices to name just a few of the primary approaches and applications.
Why is it Important to Ensure Good Air Quality in the Workplace?
It’s imperative that air quality within the workplace is of an exacting standard when bearing in mind that employee health, wellbeing, comfort and subsequent, productivity should always be of paramount importance to an employer and/or building management company, and that concerns over air quality should come high up any given agenda. It’s worth noting that pollutants circulating in an indoor environment can and do increase the risk of employee illness, and therefore putting the quality of air at the forefront of employee health is a prudent thing to do. Several studies undertaken by respected authorities including scientific panel have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as a hugely significant environmental health problem; and while most buildings do not experience severe indoor air quality problems, even well-run/managed properties can sometimes be susceptible to episodes of poor indoor air quality, nevertheless.
It’s common for symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs to develop in individual employees directly affected by compromised indoor air quality, and furthermore some respiratory conditions and diseases – namely asthma and sinusitis – have been linked to the prevalence of specific air contaminants or health-impacting indoor environments, including the presence of damp for example. With regards to other potential, yet commonly-occurring pollutants which could manifest in such employee-unfriendly scenarios, and these might well comprise of biological (traditionally where water is found to support growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi; think Legionella) pollutants. More normally biological we’re referring to dust mites, animal dander and pollen, which can all result from inadequate maintenance and housekeeping of a building’s ventilation system.
Elsewhere chemical-based pollutants can come to bear (gases and vapours), which can be generated from the following situations unfolding: products used in the building, accidental spills, products used during construction activities, and by-products of combustion such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide. Meanwhile particles (variously described as a solid or liquid, non-biological that can be suspended in air), can realistically create a respiratory hazard. Predominantly this could arise from instances where dust or dirt is effectively drawn into a building’s ventilation system, yet construction activities can also provide another unwelcome source; one which leads to suspended particles (drywall dust, wood dust, and silica from cutting, drilling, or sanding of concrete) loitering in the air for certain passages of time.
How is Air Sampled in Terms of Quality and Hygiene?
So, once it’s been established that a workplace may have been exposed to poor air quality (or indeed, perpetually be), then it’s time to call in the experts and look to ascertaining just what has lead/causing this serious issue. The physicality of sampling air – as odd as it may sound – was touched on above, when we mentioned the likes of Fixed-station Sampling and Monitoring, Continuous Monitoring, Integrated Sampling, Grab Sampling, Monitoring of Ventilation Rate and Personal Monitors and/or Sampling Devices. Here we expand on the subject of key air quality and hygiene testing practices, so you have a better idea of just how the immediate atmosphere we inhale within our workplace is captured for sampling purposes. From special meters and smoke tubes through to the more Dr Who-esque, colorimetric detector tubes there are a number of ways in which experts can determine whether or not there’s a problem with the air that we breathe as employees; particularly from a controlling perspective.
With some of us spending in excess of 90% of our time indoors, potential exposure levels – with reference to airborne pollutants – can be omnipresent in certain quarters; and could envelope volatile organic chemicals, gases (such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide), particulate matter and fibres, and biological particles such as bacteria, fungi and pollen, which we implied earlier. Typical air quality testing, monitoring and assessment services tend to begin with visual inspections being performed by professionals, with individual employees also being questioned on the topic of air pollution if the set of circumstances dictate said additional approach. This allows experts to pick the brains of complainants so as to ultimately identify their symptoms and the frequency of on-set. A thorough review of the scenario might also include observation of potential sources of airborne chemical contamination (e.g. engines, chemical processes, neighbouring facilities, construction etc), a carried out inspection of the layout/distribution of air supplies to the occupied spaces and examination of condition of any HVAC systems and accessible components (filters, condensate drip trays, heating and cooling coils, air intakes, air supply and return grilles and accessible duct work etc).
Irrespective of this more wholesale approach and broad degree of scrutiny, basic indoor air quality testing and assessment surveys normally cover temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, formaldehyde, airborne bacteria, fungi, yeast and moulds, airborne particles and air movement tests. Results are then measured against current standards, regulations and guidelines so as to form a picture of the problem.
What Should a Sample Report Comprise of?
In the aftermath of the air quality inspection being carried out, the sample report will consist of written confirmation of a number of different areas being checked/industry criteria being met in accordance with HSE requirements and stipulations. Essentially proactive air quality monitoring covers a detailed investigation of building ventilation and air conditioning systems, together with representative samples of the indoor air in the building. The resultant report is a far-reaching and comprehensively compiled one, which also includes the presentation of an Air Quality Assurance Certification that can be displayed on notice boards for employees to witness. Workplace monitoring in this instance will indicate the extent of exposure occurring, while throwing the spotlight on the effectiveness of any existing control measures evident.
The results are subsequently compared with relevant exposure limits and interpreted to establish the need for improvements. In a nut-shell air quality sampling reports embrace the conveying of timely advice on the risk assessment process (design, training, implementation, auditing) and carrying out an analysis/assessment for substances hazardous to health. It will also determine whether any exposure to hazardous substances poses a serious risk to health from inhalation of the substance and to check exposure limits applicable. Coverage will also extend to the provision of detailed analysis /description of work being carried out at the time of sampling, exposure monitoring results for dusts, fumes, gases, vapours etc, meaningful comparison against relevant exposure limits and guidelines and a vital assessment of existing control measures (LEV plant, general ventilation, Respirable Protective Equipment, et al). In addition to this, the report would also contain pointers and guidance re: the correct choice of respiratory protection and recommendations on biological monitoring and health surveillance required.
