The air you breathe directly affects your health. Because of the air-borne nature of the coronavirus and its variants, it is more important than ever to be diligent in taking steps to have good air quality at your business. Taking proper measures to keep the air in your workplace as clean as possible will help keep employees healthy so there will be limited sick time needed and production will stay strong. Here are some ways you can improve the air quality at your work.
1. Air Filters
One of the easiest ways to clean the air at work is to keep up with air filters. Replacing them regularly is key to providing clean air for all the people who come into your building. As Suzanne Clark recently shared through an interview with a leading national medical doctor, preventing the spread of virus variants is tied to keeping the air clean, especially in indoor spaces. Doing everything possible to limit the spread of the virus and exposure to it is the responsibility of every business that has reopened. Changing air filters is a quick, easy and economical way to clean the air that is filtered throughout the building.
2. Dusting Mitts
Depending on what your company makes and how the workspaces are designed, you need to empower your staff to keep their spaces as clean as possible. In addition to the cleaning crew that does the basics of emptying trash cans and sweeping the floors, you also need to provide a way for employees to keep their surfaces dust free. This will add to the air quality by removing dust and other pollutants that lower air quality. Providing dusting mitts for staff to use on desks, counters and other flat areas will help limit contaminants they would otherwise be breathing daily. The mitts could be collected and laundered with the other weekly washing. Giving staff control and responsibility over their areas spreads the burden of care and gives them the ability to make individual good health choices.
3. Windows
Each building has its own way to breathe. Some only have doors and vents while others have lots of windows that can be opened to let the fresh air flow in. If you can open windows and add fresh air to the atmosphere that has been cleaned by air filters, make sure that the time the windows are open is controlled. You do not want them open indefinitely or the filters in place will not be as effective. Windows can be used for fresh air but should be used sparingly and with control.
4. Humidifiers
Seasonal weather changes can have a large effect on the air quality of your building. One of these factors is the relative humidity inside, and maintaining a comfortable, healthy percentage is important for staff and visitors. Dehumidifiers can be used in the moist, summer months to keep your lungs healthy. Installing humidifiers in the dry months can help prevent dry, cracked skin, difficulty breathing and sinus infections. These machines are easy to set up and use on an as-needed basis. Their effectiveness depends on the size of the room so be sure to read the manufacturer’s specifications for proper application.
The air quality in your building is affected by many factors, including product manufacturing, cleaning or pest control chemicals, seasonal changes and viruses brought in by staff. Controlling all of these moving parts is important for the health and safety of you, your employees and any visitors, but can be difficult depending on the size of your shop and how many people are involved. Because there are still variants of the coronavirus still causing infections, it is the responsibility of every company to put into place measures that support clean air. Utilizing air filters and dusting mitts, limiting open windows and providing proper humidity are all ways to improve the air quaility in your workplace and keep your staff safe and healthy.
