The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have provided a summary of what businesses should be doing in relation to ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus outbreak. It is worth noting that the information below is based on current guidance and therefore it could be updated as new information is released.
Ventilations
Guidance has not changed in relation to employers supplying adequate fresh air in their workplaces, but it is highly recommended that you increase the supply of fresh air and review your ventilation systems to reduce the risk of spreading viruses, in particular COVID-19.
Consideration should be taken to how the circulation of outside air can be improved as you want to prevent areas of stagnant air occurring in used spaces. This can be achieved through ceiling and desk fans. The HSE have confirmed that ceiling and desk fans pose an extremely low threat of transmitting coronavirus so long as your organisation already has good ventilation measures in place. One of the highest recommendations is plenty of fresh air! Obviously, you can achieve this by opening doors and windows, but make sure they are not fire doors!
Air conditioning.
So, the first step you need to take is to review what type of air conditioning system you use. If it is connected to a centralised ventilation system that removes and circulates to different rooms, experts from the HSE are recommending that the re-circulation is switched off and that organisations use fresh air supply instead.
You can continue using most types of air conditioning systems as normal. The risk of air conditioning spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace is extremely low, so long as there is an adequate supply of fresh air and ventilation.
If your air conditioning system mixes some of the extracted air with fresh air and returns this to your rooms, then your system does not need adjusting as this is seen to increase the fresh air ventilation rate. You also do not need to adjust systems in individual rooms or portable units as these operate on 100% re-circulation. However, try to ensure that you are still supplying a good level of fresh air ventilation into your rooms, even if your system does not need adjusting.
We are running a free webinar for schools returning to full capacity from September. This is on Thursday 13 August and will address what you should be considering from a health and safety perspective. If you would like to join please click here for book your place. Some of the main points would still be applicable to a business if you would like to attend, you are welcome. We also have other webinars and training available so please check our training page.
If you are unsure about any systems, please check with your system provider. If you would like any help with any Health & Safety aspect including assessments and risk assessments, please contact the team here or by calling on 01924 827869.
We have regular training opportunities for carrying out risk assessments, fire assessments and COSHH. We would be happy to help. These can be run on-site or virtually for your team or as individual attendance to a group session. Email [email protected] for further information.
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