Occupational Hygiene Services

Air Quality Monitoring


Covid 19 & Air Quality Monitoring
Air quality at work has always been important, but minds have been focused further by the emergence of Covid-19. Essentially, proper ventilation is a key element in health and occupational safety, as it’s concerned with the way in which external air enters the building. This can either be through artificial means i.e. by HVAC or through natural means, such as through an open window.

 

Risk assessment, hazard Identification & risk management
With Employers now fully focused putting correct procedures in place to limit exposure to staff and customers to COVID 19, ensuring a proper occupational hygiene assessment is more important than ever.

As Social distancing has created workplace issues that none of us could have envisaged even just a few months ago, our 20 years expertise in occupational hygiene allows us to expertly assist organisations at this time, we can expertly guide and support, conduct risk assessments and assist you in managing exposure and adopting preventative methodologies, design in a manner that will work best for your company’s specific requirements.

 

Where OHSS can help

To ensure compliance, companies are expected to monitor, report, and implement measures of control to preserve clean air quality. With specialised equipment and analytical methods, regulatory agencies have the ability to assist companies with these important health and safety measure. At OHSS, we can help your company with Air Quality Monitoring and designing an effective monitoring program. We test the air for substances that could endanger health in the workplace, helping to correct and prevent air quality problems.

 
OUR ROLE:

•    Estimation of extent of problem
•    Sampling and testing
•    On-site monitoring
•    Report & recommendations
 
COMMON PROBLEMS:

 

•    Air conditioning/Ventilation
•    Relative humidity
•    Carbon dioxide levels
•    Biological contaminants such as bacteria or moulds
•    Chemical contaminants (caused by upholstery, carpeting or cleaning fluids)
•    Air velocity
•    Temperature
•    Dust or vapours produced by processes, such as soldering
•    Volatile organic compounds
•    Dust or vapours produced by processes, such as soldering

 
SYMPTOMS OF POOR AIR QUALITY:


•    Irritation of eyes, nose and throat
•    Respiratory infections and coughs, wheezing, asthma
•    Mental fatigue and poor concentration
•    Headache and nausea or dizziness

 

Air Quality Monitoring Is still Very Much Required
Until there is empirical proof that Coronavirus doesn’t pose an airborne threat, air quality monitoring would seem to be a wise measure to take to ensure that those inside the building remain safe and protected. That may change with further research, but at present, the only wise move is to remain cautious and monitor air quality.

Modern industries have increasingly demanding air quality standards. Poor air quality puts health and safety at risk, and can cause poor performance at work. Air quality monitoring is a system used to analyse the levels of any air contaminants or pollutants in the environment of both the immediate and surrounding work areas. Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, local authorities are required to prevent and limit air pollution.

For many companies today, this is a necessary environmental procedure, to be carried out in accordance with the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 and the CAFE directive. Actively monitoring your air quality can alert you, and the authorities, to any concentrations of certain pollutants, and that helps prevent harmful effects on employee health and safety, and the environment.

From protecting ambient air quality as well as the whole ecosystem, Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 and the CAFE directive have been set in place within Ireland and other member states in regards to a wide variety of pollutants. These rules and regulations include how companies are required to monitor, assess and manage air quality.

Who we work with:

About Us


OHSS was established in 2001 as an Occupational Health and Safety consultancy. Founder Paul Foran has extensive experience in the field, both as a consultant and as a former Inspector with the Health & Safety Authority (www.hsa.ie), where he formulated policy and legislation.

Our mission is to be the leading Occup
ational Hygiene and Safety consultancy in Ireland, and provide reputable tra


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