The Problem with Workplace Dust

July 27, 2017

Many people overlook dust in the grand scheme of cleaning. Many people can overlook dust easily, because they don’t view it as a threat or hazard. Dust appears to be innocuous, but it can affect employee health over time.

Why Is Dust a Problem?

Dust is a common contributor to many diseases. It affects the air quality in your office and can lead to sick building syndrome. It is easy to assume the air indoors is clean and better for you then polluted outdoor air. In reality, dust and other fumes can accumulate in your office, making the area polluted. Common diseases relating to dust include asthma, chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumoconiosis.

How to Remove Dust from Your Workplace

It is important to eliminate dust from the office to avoid employee health problems. Here are a few ways to do so.

1. Hire Professionals

You may want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service if your office is large or experiences a lot of foot traffic. A cleaning service will be diligent about dust and clean all the hard-to-reach areas on a regular basis.

2. In-house Cleaning Schedule

Smaller offices implement an in-house cleaning schedule. Employers assign employees to clean certain areas of the office on a rotating basis. This gets everyone involved and can ensure the dust doesn’t go unnoticed.

3. Combination Cleaning

A combination of cleaning services and in-house initiatives can work for a variety of office sizes. A cleaning service once or twice a month can come and do a thorough clean on the office. The periods in-between their services can be maintained by employee cleaning schedules.

4. Proper Ventilation

Proper ventilation is the best way to keep the air in your office clean. Make sure office furniture and supplies are not blocking any of the ventilation points. Avoid using products that can contribute to air quality issues. Coordinate with building management if your office is experiencing increased dust or ventilation issues.

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/office-building-occupants-guide-indoor-air-quality

https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/asthma-and-allergies-4/asthma-news-47/sick-building-syndrome-is-your-office-making-you-sick-646729.html

http://www.alcumusgroup.com/dust-in-the-workplace/