HOW AIR QUALITY AFFECTS EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
As a business owner or CEO, you are always looking for ways to increase employee engagement and boost productivity. From positive recognition to reward incentives, there are many things you can do. But there is one you have likely overlooked: poor air quality at work.
Indoor pollution is a major concern. In residential buildings, indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. In commercial and industrial buildings, those numbers are even worse.
All of this pollution takes a toll on our bodies, and ultimately, the impact of air pollution on worker productivity is a negative one.
Why Indoor Air Quality Is so Poor
Outside, there is essentially limitless air, and that air is free to circulate. Inside, air is confined to the space of your building, and circulation is limited to the abilities of your HVAC system. This means the contaminants inside struggle to escape and instead build up and recirculate throughout the building.
There are many things that can impact workplace air quality, including pollen, mites, and dander. However, in a commercial or industrial environment, the following tend to be more concerning:
- Paints
- Solvents
- Aerosol spray
- Powerful cleaning solutions
- Pesticides
- Fuel
- Adhesives
- Insects and pests
When your workers breathe these in on a regular basis, it leads to chronic health problems, including those that impact the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. And when your employees aren’t enjoying robust health?
Their motivation and productivity suffer.
Of course, switching your business to an outdoor model won’t work. So, what can you do to address how air quality affects employees?
Enhance and Maintain Your Fume Filtration System
Your place of business should already have a fume filtration system in place since it is mandated by law. However, that doesn’t mean that it is working well or that there aren’t enhancements that could help it perform better.
There is also the fact that you might have the wrong fume extraction system for the work you do. For example, a laser cutter fume extractor will have different components and configurations than one for paint thinner. It is essential that your fume filtration system is tailored to your needs, otherwise, your employees are not properly protected.
Finally, you need to make sure your system is correctly maintain—and this isn’t a task to pass on to your employees. Instead, work with the professionals at IPS Systems. We can do everything from tune-up your current system to help you purchase the best solder fume extractor. Give us a call to set up your appointment
