Your employees’ well-being will improve when they learn you have their well-being at heart. You can take steps to improve the environmental health in your workplace by making a few simple changes. In this article, we’ve presented six things you can do.
1. Prepare for Fire Outbreaks
Fire outbreaks can occur when you least expect them. Ensure you’re well prepared all year round. Have fire extinguishers at designated places. Also, have fire curtains, which help contain the development of fire, limit its spread and safeguard escape routes.
As your staff work, they’ll have greater peace of mind since they have the proper training and tools to enhance their safety if there is a fire outbreak.
2. Have Indoor Plants in Offices
One study indicated a notable increase in the productivity of employees who worked in offices with indoor plants. This was accompanied by reduced stress levels when compared to working in offices devoid of indoor plants. These plants also help filter toxins from the air. Thus, your employees’ respiratory health improves.
Having one or two plants for every 100 square feet is sufficient to get rid of toxins. Additionally, microorganisms in the potting soil can rid the air of benzene.
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3. Ensure Your Offices Are Cleaned with Non-Toxic Cleaners
Germs can quickly spread in an office. That said, conventional cleaners contain chemicals that can lead to respiratory issues, headaches, skin reactions and more. You can use natural and eco-friendly cleaning products to achieve a blend of cleanliness and environmental health at your office.
Biodegradable cleaners will ensure your office ecosystem is not accumulating toxic substances over time. Green cleaning alternatives should use a non-toxic formula that’s safe for most surfaces. You should, however, not buy just any cleaner that claims to be green.
Look for cleaning products certified by EcoLogo or Green Seal. Then you can be sure of a safe, clean and sustainable office environment that offers the ambiance your staff needs for maximum concentration. For a thorough list of green cleaning products check out Environmental Working Group’s list of EWG Verified cleaning products.
4. Use Eco-friendly Materials
Do not use materials that have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals in them. These chemicals may harm your staff. Breathing VOCs can cause a range of reactions from irritations in the nose and eyes to central nervous system damage, depending on the chemicals and the length of exposure.
So during construction or remodeling use eco-friendly materials as much as possible. Use non-toxic materials for your flooring, painting, furnishings and interior decorations. Avoid flooring materials that use toxic resins and glue—there are alternatives on the market. Some green flooring options to consider are glass tiles, porcelain, bamboo, cork or ceramic.
Use Green Seal-11 certified paints or milk paints for your painting options instead of the standard water-based latex or oil-based paints. Only use green building materials so that you can guarantee your staff’s health. Materials that contain VOCs are potential health hazards.
5. Eliminate Dampness
Mould is a major environmental concern at the workplace. It can develop from drips or flooding, leaking pipes and even increased humidity. You might miss out on the subtle signs of mould growth unless you are intentional about inspecting your premises often.
A look at the walls and behind cabinets isn’t hard to do. But things can become much more complex and expensive if mould is suspected deeper in the structure. In that case, you may need to bring in a professional mould remediation company. If the problem is widespread, full commercial restoration may be necessary to properly remove the mould and restore the building’s health and safety.
But addressing it is worth the effort. Prolonged exposure to damp environments has been linked to a range of health issues, including skin irritation, coughing, and respiratory illness. People with asthma, allergies, or chronic sinus conditions are particularly vulnerable. In fact, the World Health Organization states that occupants of damp or mouldy buildings have up to a 75 percent greater risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma compared to those in dry environments.
6. Make Use of Daylighting
Access to sufficient daylight, rather than artificial lighting, makes people function better. Your staff will have improved productivity and health when you increase their access to sunlight. Significant natural light has the added benefit of lowering the energy and carbon emissions of your office, as well.
To get more daylighting add more windows or swap existing windows for larger ones. You could also look to alternative options like external reflectors, light ducts or light wells. Though glass allows in natural light, it’s also a poor insulator; if you have an office with a lot of glass, consider high-efficiency windows with low-e glass to reduce the amount of heat that enters the building in the summer and heat that is lost from the building in the winter. Read more about low-e glass in our article “The Pros and Cons of Low-E Glass.”
An average person spends a quarter of their life working. You can heighten their general wellness and raise their motivation by creating a healthy working environment. This is a win-win since you can reduce days off and increase productivity while also ensuring your employees’ well-being.
Want to further improve the environmental health of your workplace. Read our Green Building Guide to Indoor Environmental Quality.
Feature image: fauxels; Image 1: Oliver Hale
