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Travelsmart

The TravelSmart program brings together government and community initiatives to reduce our reliance on cars and offers useful tips. more

Report a smoky vehicle

more

Travelsmart

The TravelSmart program brings together government and community initiatives to reduce our reliance on cars and offers useful tips. more

Overview

Poor indoor air quality can affect the performance of staff.
Image courtesy of B.Peters

Our workplace environments are generally quite safe due to WorkCover and occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation.

No matter where you work, you may have reduced air quality. Poor indoor air quality can affect the performance of staff, and is thus an important consideration for both employers and employees.

There may be chemicals around your workplace or unflued gas heaters, which introduce even more pollutants. Poor ventillation and high heat may also contribute to poor air quality.

We all have responsiblities for our work environment.

Overview

Poor indoor air quality can affect the performance of staff.
Image courtesy of B.Peters

Our workplace environments are generally quite safe due to WorkCover and occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation.

No matter where you work, you may have reduced air quality. Poor indoor air quality can affect the performance of staff, and is thus an important consideration for both employers and employees.

There may be chemicals around your workplace or unflued gas heaters, which introduce even more pollutants. Poor ventillation and high heat may also contribute to poor air quality.

We all have responsiblities for our work environment.

Office equipment can be potentially hazardous. Image courtesy of B.Peters

Regardless of where you work, there may be potentially toxic chemicals around you. You need to be aware of them and how to minimise and manage any risks.

Let’s start with the office. Many sources of air pollution are similar to those around your home, but a number of pollutants can be found in unexpected places.

• toner dust and ozone from laser printers and photocopiers
• toner dust from inkjet copiers
• solvents in adhesives and glues
• liquids like ink in pens and ink pads
• vapours from highlighters, markers and correction fluid
• solvents and vapours from computer and kitchen cleaners
• solvents in alkaline batteries
• vapours from paints, carpets and new furnishings and dust from renovations
• tobacco smoke through passive smoking
• bacteria, viruses and mould.

Employers are responsible for informing and protecting workers

Poor ventilation and high heat can make pollution worse. Carbon dioxide builds up and results in a lack of oxygen. Humidity can also build up and encourage mould which releases spores into the air.

The nature of some workplaces like labs and factories, mean hazardous chemicals are regularly used and/or produced. Whatever the case may be, employers are responsible for informing and protecting workers under the workers compensation and occupational healthy and safety laws.

Office equipment can be potentially hazardous. Image courtesy of B.Peters

Regardless of where you work, there may be potentially toxic chemicals around you. You need to be aware of them and how to minimise and manage any risks.

Let’s start with the office. Many sources of air pollution are similar to those around your home, but a number of pollutants can be found in unexpected places.

• toner dust and ozone from laser printers and photocopiers
• toner dust from inkjet copiers
• solvents in adhesives and glues
• liquids like ink in pens and ink pads
• vapours from highlighters, markers and correction fluid
• solvents and vapours from computer and kitchen cleaners
• solvents in alkaline batteries
• vapours from paints, carpets and new furnishings and dust from renovations
• tobacco smoke through passive smoking
• bacteria, viruses and mould.

Employers are responsible for informing and protecting workers

Poor ventilation and high heat can make pollution worse. Carbon dioxide builds up and results in a lack of oxygen. Humidity can also build up and encourage mould which releases spores into the air.

The nature of some workplaces like labs and factories, mean hazardous chemicals are regularly used and/or produced. Whatever the case may be, employers are responsible for informing and protecting workers under the workers compensation and occupational healthy and safety laws.

Refer to the Laser Printers and Indoor Air Quality fact sheet and the Health and Safety in the Office guide from WorkCover NSW.

The Office of Environment and Heritage has information on managing potential environmental concerns, including air quality, relating to different business and industry sectors.

The Workers Health Centre website has a fact sheet on Sick Building Syndrome.

Refer to the Laser Printers and Indoor Air Quality fact sheet and the Health and Safety in the Office guide from WorkCover NSW.

The Office of Environment and Heritage has information on managing potential environmental concerns, including air quality, relating to different business and industry sectors.

The Workers Health Centre website has a fact sheet on Sick Building Syndrome.

Workplace pollutants. Source: SPD image library

Workplace pollutants come in various forms. While solids and liquids are usually clearly visible, it’s not always easy to know whether toxic vapours and gases are present.

Solids are the least likely to affect you unless they come into direct contact with skin or are eaten. Exposure to heat can convert solids into other, more toxic forms. For example, burning solids can create toxic gases; handling them can create dust.

Dusts include materials which normally come in dust form and dust created by workplace processes. It’s not always possible to detect fine dust in the air.

Liquids include acids, solvents and liquid metals like mercury. Flammable liquids can create toxic vapours, gases and dust during combustion.

Vapours and gases directly affect air quality and can also be flammable or explosive.

Workplace pollutants. Source: SPD image library

Workplace pollutants come in various forms. While solids and liquids are usually clearly visible, it’s not always easy to know whether toxic vapours and gases are present.

Solids are the least likely to affect you unless they come into direct contact with skin or are eaten. Exposure to heat can convert solids into other, more toxic forms. For example, burning solids can create toxic gases; handling them can create dust.

Dusts include materials which normally come in dust form and dust created by workplace processes. It’s not always possible to detect fine dust in the air.

Liquids include acids, solvents and liquid metals like mercury. Flammable liquids can create toxic vapours, gases and dust during combustion.

Vapours and gases directly affect air quality and can also be flammable or explosive.