A Healthier, Happier Workforce: The Benefits of Indoor Air Monitoring

22nd February 2017

The S2 Partnership recently highlighted the HSE’s strategy, the focus of which was on working with others to prevent ill health and work-related stress.

It is well documented that exposure to harmful substances at work is a major contributor to ill health, and the significant cost to companies through absence and litigation cannot be underestimated.  The COSHH regulations place a duty to employers to make sure their employees and any site visitors are protected. It is essential that exposure is properly controlled and monitored to ensure safety at all times.

Importantly, over recent years, investors have focused increasingly more on health and well-being as a value driver for quality real estate, rather than solely safety.  Research has backed up what many have believed for years –  that by investing in elements of a building which can improve employees’ health and well-being, companies benefit from workplace effectiveness and productivity.  As outlined in the report* by the World Green Building Council, a comprehensive body of research suggests that better indoor air quality can result in productivity improvements of 8-11%.

Furthermore, in 2016, GRESB launched a Health & Well-being Module**, which evaluates and benchmarks action taken by property companies and funds to promote the health and well-being of employees.  It also assesses their strategy to create value through products and services that promote health and well-being for their tenants and customers.  Although currently voluntary, the module could potentially be made mandatory in the future.

A number of parameters can affect indoor air quality, such as the design of the workspace, design of the ventilation system, the frequency and effectiveness of maintenance and the quality of the external air. To maintain satisfactory working conditions, indoor air quality should be monitored to ensure contaminants are not present at concentrations known to cause discomfort or impair health.

Although there is a cost for commissioning an air monitoring assessment and implementing the extra controls, this is often minimal compared to the savings from improvements and protection of employee health.

In fact, regular air monitoring assessments can see significant and tangible benefits in promptly dealing with complaints about indoor air quality, namely:

  • A more motivated and satisfied workforce
  • Less time and money spent dealing with complaints
  • Increased staff efficiency
  • Improvement in staff morale
  • Better staff retention
  • Lower absenteeism

The S2 Partnership is a GRESB Premier Partner and assists members with health & well-being and environmental agendas. The S2 Partnership provides effective occupational safety support, health & safety management systems, risk assessments, auditing, training and competent support. We provide practical and commercially-aware advice to ensure risk is identified and managed proactively. If you would like to commission an air monitoring assessment or discuss your health & safety requirements, please contact our expert team.

Source:

*http://www.worldgbc.org/sites/default/files/compressed_WorldGBC_Health_Wellbeing__Productivity_Full_Report_Dbl_Med_Res_Feb_2015.pdf

** https://www.gresb.com/2016-health-well-being-module