The HSA has published its Code of Practice (COP) for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) which provides practical guidance for all employers on how to complete an indoor air quality assessment, and an action plan to address any air quality issues.
The code, the first of its kind dealing with indoor air quality to be published by the Authority, has been finalised after an active consultation period, and sets out in clear steps the expectations for employers when it comes to providing sufficient fresh air, effective ventilation and limiting pollutants.
The health effects associated with poor quality air reached prominence during the pandemic, and since then many workplaces have taken measures to improve the quality of indoor air, particularly in enclosed spaces. The requirement to provide sufficient fresh air and maintain ventilation systems remains in the post pandemic era and is set out in the Safety Health and Welfare at Work ( General Application) Regulations 2007, SI 299 of 2007 as amended by SI 255 of 2023.
Assessment and control of indoor air
This code outlines how to complete a risk assessment in the workplace, depending on its complexity. Requirements are specified for simple workplaces ( simple rooms or buildings), intermediate complexity ( for settings that are more complex), and complex workplaces (food safety, infection prevention and good manufacturing (GMP) environments).
The code recommends that to start the process a visual inspection, consultation and gathering of information is completed. During this assessment examples of what to look for are given, including rooms where there is no natural or mechanical ventilation. Data on measurements are also needed, including temperature and relative humidity.
It advises that for most people an acceptable temperature for office work lies between 18 – 23 °C, and a minimum of 4.65 square meters of floor space should be allowed for every person in the room. It also refers to the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors, which provide a useful visual aid, and states that CO2 levels consistently higher than 1400ppm in an occupied room indicates poor ventilation.
Guidance is also given on mechanical ventilation systems if present, including their maintenance, filters, maximising air changes or fresh air intake and managing air filtration. Other processes/hazards which may affect air quality are also noted, including radon gas, biological agents and asbestos. After the assessment has been completed, a written indoor air quality action plan is required to be completed, identifying further actions and control measures, and examples of these are shown in the code. The code also contains relevant guidance on ventilation systems and components, carbon dioxide monitors and air cleaning and filtration systems.
The full code is available to download here
