Office Air Quality Testing and its role in OHS

Office air quality testing plays an important role in Occupational Health and Safety management planning as it is a requirement for a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCUB) to ensure the office air quality is clean. Considering Australians spend 90% of their time indoors, indoor air quality testing is essential. In addition, the threat of COVID has brought the importance of maintaining adequate ventilation in an indoor setting paramount. Indoor air testing should be conducted on a routine basis and is also required when a specific complaint, health issue or concern arises.

There are numerous air quality parameters to test for in an indoor environment, however routine office air testing involves a set number of parameters, such as particulate matter, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity, volatile organic compounds and airborne bacteria and mould. Professional air quality testing is paramount.

The number of samples and the length of testing is determined by the requirements and budget of the PCUB, the size of the site, layout and if there are any considerable issues or complaints. This is determined by consultation.

There are set limits that should not be exceeded in an indoor environment and office air quality testing ensures PCUB’s are meeting their Occupational Health and Safety obligations. A scientific report investigating indoor air quality parameters within an occupied space, in comparison to set limits, as well as recommendations for improvement are essential for PCBU’s to ensure they meet their occupational health and safety requirements. For a private discussion please contact us on 1300 980 612 today.