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Through the Indoor Air Quality Standards methods described below, OSHA helps businesses protect their workers and reduce the number of workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses. When employees stay safe and healthy, companies can reduce workers' compensation insurance costs and medical expenses, decreased payout for return-to-work programs, reduce faulty products, and lower costs for job accommodations for injured workers. Indirectly, additional benefits such as increased productivity, lower training costs due to fewer replacement workers and decreased costs for overtime have also been attributed to OSHA's research and guidance. Since 1970, workplace deaths have been cut by more than 60 percent and occupational injuries and illnesses have declined 40 percent by following these Indoor Air Quality Standards. In addition OSHA has conducted almost 39, 000 inspections & issued over 85, 000 citations for safety violations, and has assisted businesses with its Consultation Program by making over 31, 000 visits to employers.
What does OSHA do? OSHA employs the following strategies to help employers and employees reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths on the job: Enforcement – making sure OSHA Regulations are followed Assistance – outreach & training to employers and employees Cooperation – partnerships and alliances through voluntary programs OSHA promotes workplace safety and health by: Implementing new (or improved) safety and health management systems. Completing worksite inspections. Companies failing to OSHA Regulations may be cited and/or fined. Promoting cooperative programs including Voluntary Protection Programs, OSHA Strategic Partnerships, and other industry Alliances. Establishing specific rights and responsibilities of employees and employers. Supporting innovation in dealing with workplace hazards. Establishing recordkeeping and reporting requirements for employers. Developing training programs for occupational safety and health personnel. Partnering with states that operate their own occupational safety and health programs.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Can Affect your Health and Job Performance Poor indoor air quality can be a common problem in workplaces. Because employees spend a large portion of their day at work, the indoor environmental quality of work facilities can have a noticeable and sometimes chronic effect on employee health. Typical undesirable air quality conditions include poor ventilation, mold exposure, temperature and humidity extremes, and potential exposure to workplace chemicals. These conditions may lead to frequent headaches, lethargy, cough, and have the potential to cause more serious conditions like asthma and pneumonia. [ source:] Image Source: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides other frequently asked questions about indoor air quality on their website. If You Think Your Workplace Has An Air Quality Problem If you believe that the air quality at your place of employment is negatively affecting your health, OSHA recommends first asking your employer to check the ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems to make sure there is no water damage and that these systems are performing adequately based on the building use and occupancy.
As more and more studies continue to show the negative effects of poor indoor air quality, not only does poor air circulation result in high levels of CO2 but also high levels of airborne illness (COVID). While studies have shown that high levels of carbon dioxide have reduced the amount of oxygen to the brain, studies have also shown that high levels of airborne illness tend to exasperate in rooms with poor levels of air circulation. Poor air circulation not only results in high levels of CO2 and viruses, but also high levels of dust, dander, germs, microbes, and other particles. The ideal indoor environment is one with (you guessed it) lots of outside, fresh air replacing the stale, contaminated air inside. In indoor environments such as classrooms, it is important to note that quality HVAC should be properly in place. Like homes that filter in outside air through windows/doors, those universities and classrooms with limited entryways need an HVAC system to properly pump in outside air and eliminate potential exposure.