Home » Air and you » Workplace » What you can do

What you can do

What employees can do

Choose a smarter way to travel to work. You might save time, money and reduce stress doing so.

There are plenty of ways you can clear the air at work and even on your way to and from work.

Know your Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy. Ask your employer for an OH&S induction.
If you work with hazardous chemicals, make sure you follow safety procedures.
Observe indoor smoking bans.
Report any concerns you may have about workplace pollutants to your OH&S representative.
Be aware of the potential pollutants in seemingly harmless things like markers, glues and new furnishings.
Choose smarter ways to travel - you might save time, money and reduce stress doing so.
Keep some plants at your desk or workstation as they can help remove some pollutants from the air.

[top of page]

What employers can do

Make sure you have an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy which covers indoor air quality.
Image courtesy of SPD image library

Employers are responsible for ensuring the work environment is safe for workers. There are many steps you can take to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

Make sure you have an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy which covers indoor air quality. Induct all staff (full-time and part-time) and contractors.
If you work with hazardous chemicals, make sure you and your staff understand all related safety procedures.
Reinforce the ban on smoking in indoor public areas.
In industrial environments:
- regularly service air filtering and control equipment
- investigate less toxic materials to replace the materials you are currently using
- keep solvent containers sealed when not in use to limit evaporation and prevent excessive odours and loss of materials.
In office environments:
- service photocopiers regularly and fit copiers and laser printers with ozone filters to minimise ozone.
- ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the workplaces to prevent a build-up of carbon dioxide and humidity.
Encourage staff and clients to travel smarter - cycle and walk to work when possible.
Reduce how much petrol and electricity you use to cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
If you run a fleet:
- Set targets to improve your vehicle fleet efficiencies
- Invest in a fuel-efficient fleet and keep it well maintained
- Join FleetWise.

Find out more

Visit the Employers section of the WorkCover NSW website.

Visit the Workers section of the WorkCover NSW website.

Use the WorkCover Chemicals Safety Checklist as a guide to make your workplace safer.

The UnionSafe website has a comprehensive fact sheet on air quality in the workplace.

The Office of Environment and Heritage has information on managing potential environmental concerns, including air quality, relating to different business and industry sectors. The Sustainability Advantage Program assists businesses to achieve good environmental performance that will reduce risk, lower costs, improve productivity and enhance their reputation.

[top of page]

3 by 9192 Visitors

1 2 3 4 5

Share |