Are your employees often calling in sick? Is sneezing, coughing, headache, or dizziness their usual complaint? These signs only mean it’s time to assess your surroundings, particularly the air quality in the workplace.
Business or commercial building owners often take indoor air quality for granted. Non-action only exposes your tenants or workers to unseen pollutants. Worse, constantly breathing in toxic air compounds only leads to the sick building syndrome.
Maintaining good air quality within your office or work area is one way to avoid this. Aside from protecting human health, clean indoor air has other benefits. Here are some of them.
Benefits of Good Workplace Air Quality
Good employee health may be one obvious advantage of having good workplace air quality. However, it also creates a positive ripple effect that ultimately benefits businesses and building owners.
1. Lower Risk of Illness and Infection
Ensuring optimal airflow in an enclosed space is one way to control the level of infectious particles in the air. This best practice is a must, considering tenants and workers are returning to offices post-pandemic.
With clean and free air circulation, you also prevent the accumulation of bacteria, allergens, and dust that can make people sick.
2. Higher Tenant and Employee Confidence
Reducing your employees’ risk of exposure to air contaminants shows genuine care for their well-being. In turn, this translates to increased job satisfaction and higher morale.
A clean and fresh environment allows workers to do their jobs with confidence. They can stay in the workplace for hours without worrying about their health or safety.
Moreover, happy workers are naturally energised and less stressed throughout their shifts. Similarly, visitors or clients will be happier to do business with you in a pleasant and comfortable office.
3. Improved Productivity
One of the most important benefits of good air quality in the workplace is better employee performance. Clean indoor air gives workers peace of mind and lessens discomfort, allowing them to concentrate better at work.
One study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2015) even concluded that minor improvements in workplace air quality can significantly improve workers’ decision-making performance.
Palacios and colleagues (2020) also found a link between environmental conditions in the workplace, job satisfaction, and productivity. The researchers specifically highlighted how a better workplace environment improved employee health improvement and reduced sick leave prevalence.
4. Optimum Building Performance
The occupants are not the sole benefactors of good indoor quality. When business owners prioritise clean airflow through HVAC maintenance, the building becomes a high-performing structure.
It protects the environment as it produces less carbon. A well-maintained HVAC system also means optimum energy use and minimal repair. Both help building owners save power and money. Less exposure to air pollutants also prolongs the building’s lifespan.
5. Return on Investment
As good workplace air quality lowers the risk of illness and enhances worker satisfaction and productivity, business and building owners can expect increased ROI.
Tenants are more likely to stay for longer. On the other hand, managers avoid the cost of lost production, frequent absences, and high employee turnover.
Effective Ways to Improve Air Quality in the Workplace
Improving your indoor air quality leads to multiple benefits. But how can commercial building occupants achieve this?
These strategies can help:
- Control sources of air pollutants. Get your employees involved in ensuring office cleanliness. A weekly cleaning and decluttering schedule can minimise dust and bacterial build-up. Be sure to have eco-friendly cleaning supplies available. If possible, use air purifiers with HEPA filters. Also, promote a smoke-free workplace.
- Check and adjust indoor humidity. Dust clings to moist environments, resulting in moulds that occupants may inhale. Use a humidity monitor or hygrometer to maintain humidity levels at 30-50%. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers also help reduce humidity-related problems.
- Add plants. Potted indoor plants are not only decorative. They can also produce oxygen and absorb toxins to improve air quality. Just be sure to take care of them to avoid pests.
- Keep carpets and upholstery dust-free. Like moisture, dust settles in fabric, affecting air quality. So, call in professionals to regularly clean your carpeted floors and couches. A minimalist office space with fewer pieces of furniture is also another way to reduce dust build-up.
- Enhance ventilation through regular monitoring. Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in your air ducts and filters, leading to clogging and poor airflow. Consult the experts for an inspection or cleaning schedule and air filter replacement. Cleaning professionals should have the equipment and skills to test your current air quality or spot problem areas (e.g. mould growth, water damage, odours).
Constantly Track Your Workplace Air Quality
Poor air quality in a commercial building can be due to inadequate ventilation, mould and bacteria, outdoor pollution, or chemical fumes. Professional cleaners can help you identify the cause and implement the best solutions.
Call Performance Cleaning today on 1300 867 872. We offer office, industrial, and carpet cleaning services to achieve and maintain top-notch workplace air quality.