Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Risk Management
Indoor air quality or indoor environmental quality (IAQ/IEQ) issues in offices and or buildings often arise and resulting question raised employers, employees, facility managers and visitors often is, WHAT IS THE RISK?
IAQ/IEQ are broad terms used to describe the content of interior air that could affect the health and comfort of building occupants.
The IAQ may be compromised of;
- Microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria),
- Bio-Aerosols (from Bird and rodent feces),
- Chemicals components that are elevated and deemed contaminants (such as ozone, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, VOC’s),
- Allergens such as dusts, dander (hair from humans or animals),
- Particulate’s,
- Environmental stressors that can induce health effects.
To ensure safe and optimal indoor air quality, Employers have a legal obligation under the OHS Act to take a preventative, risk-management approach which must include:
- Investigating source of complaints
- Collecting information
- Ensure control measures are in place
- Put in place measures to remove or manage the risk
- Educate staff, visitor, contractors and all other stakeholders.
- Provide effective risk communication
We at Healthy Air Solutions can assist in providing you with the support you need to manage the risks associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality.
