Risk Assessment
Management of Health & safety at work Regulations 2002 – Regulation 3 requires that “every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment” of the risks to the health and safety of anyone who may be affected by his undertaking.
The purpose of the risk assessment is to help the employer to determine what measures should be taken to comply with his duties under the “relevant statutory provisions”. A ventilation hygiene risk assessment follows the typical occupational hygiene practice, in health, safety or welfare of anyone who may be affected, taking into account whatever precautions are already in place.
A ventilation hygiene assessment should comprise a systematic examination of the installation from fresh air intake to final terminal device. This will identify and evaluate the levels and stability of residual contaminants such as dust, crystalline and carbonaceous deposits, mineral fibres, micro-organisms, etc.
System design, the effectiveness of filtration, the condition of air handling equipment and the validity of maintenance programmes should be appraised and the survey recorded with the report incorporating external and internal photographs of plant and equipment to assist in the confirmation of system condition.
The main purpose of the assessment is to determine the measures that are required for compliance. Where applicable, practical and reasonable recommendations for improvement should be included in the survey report.
Indoor Air Quality
Common indoor air contaminants are measured including respired C02, dust, bacteria, moulds and noxious gases. These contaminants are then compared with HSE and WHO guidance.
Air temperature, radiant heat, air movement and relative humidity are monitored to ensure compliance with the CIBSE and ASHRAE guidance. In addition workplace lighting and noise can be measured to ensure optimum working conditions are maintained.
Maintaining acceptable levels of these parameters are important in providing healthy workplace environments for employees and visitors.