Did you know that indoor air quality can have a direct impact on productivity in the workplace?

Research has shown that poor air quality can decrease employee output by nearly 10 per cent and leave a negative impression on workplace visitors.

Workplace health and wellbeing has become an integral part of employers’ responsibilities to maintaining an efficient and dynamic working environment. It makes sense, therefore, to minimise any environmental impacts that could contribute to poorer performance. 

The health impact of indoor air quality

We understand how indoor air pollution in the workplace can negatively impact on people’s health. It can have both short and long term if not addressed and monitored correctly.

Given that on average people are spending around 90 per cent of their time indoors, its important to understand the consequences of poor indoor air quality and a failure to address it.

According to the Australian Government, short term effects of minimal indoor air quality include:

  • Coughs
  • Itchy eyes
  • Throat irritation
  • Dizziness
  • Signs of fatigue
  • Headaches

Long term effects of pollution are more severe and can lead to significant damage to the body’s internal organs, including:

  • Heart or lung conditions
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Long term damage to brain, nerves, kidney, and other organs
  • Decreased life expectancy and overall poor health

Tips to improve indoor air quality

Our team have some key tips to helping to improve indoor air quality in the workplace. Eliminating the potential to create indoor air pollution will help ensure productivity remains high and employees’ wellbeing is looked after.

 Tip 1 – Install the right air system for your workplace

If you purchase an air conditioning unit that’s too small, it’s going to be forced to work over-time. If you install an AC unit that’s too large for your premises, it may cool the building too quickly. This can result in a situation where it shuts off because the temperature has reached the thermostat set point, but the unit hasn’t run long enough to sufficiently condition the air.  We can determine the most efficient and effective unit that ensures the comfort, health and safety of your staff and clients.

 Tip 2 – Keep air vents open and unblocked

Keeping air vents closed and blocked can lead to an accumulation of mould and dust which will increase the likelihood of pollution indoors. To improve air quality indoors, keep air vents open and unblocked and getting them regularly cleaned to minimise the attraction of dust and mould to the area to maintain a healthy air flow

Tip 3 – Replace air filters frequently

Replacements of filters are a vital part to maintaining indoor air quality as air conditioning systems work all year to ensure the perfect temperature of your workplace. Continually changing filters, especially within old air conditioners, will help to ensure the system remains effective for the long term.  

Need more advice on how to manage indoor air quality?

If you want to improve your indoor quality of air in the workplace or need a new filter, service, or replacement to your air system, contact us today.