Air Hygiene Risk Assessment
WHY IS AN AIR HYGIENE RISK ASSESSMENT NEEDED?
MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK , REGULATION 3, 1999.
Approved Codes of Practice, and other HSE guidance, emphasise the need for regular inspection, testing, cleaning and maintenance of mechanical ventilation systems. The employer must ensure the health and safety of everyone affected by his undertaking and, in this respect, shall make a “suitable and sufficient Risk Assessment” to determine the actual measures that are appropriate for each ventilation system.
HEALTH RISKS: Identifying risks of bacteria (including Legionella), fungi and general air borne dust and particulates as part of the requirements of the COSHH Regulations.
Other benefits include:-
COMPLIANCE: Details of compliance and non conformance to current legislation and best practice relating to ventilation hygiene (see our bulletin The Acts, Regulations and Best Practice ah 24).
FIRE RISK: To identify fire and / or possible bacterial contamination of food; health and fire regulations and insurance companies call for high standards of maintenance and cleanliness within kitchen extract systems. New fire regulations require that a responsible person is nominated to ensure that fire risk assessments are completed and that control measures are set in place.
DETERIORATION OF PLANT: To identify corrosion of the air handling system. Poorly maintained Air Hygiene could be detrimental to sensitive equipment such as computers.
ENERGY AND PLANT COSTS: The risk assessment will help to identify areas of reduced air-flow which can lead to increased energy consumption, reduced plant life, system components become clogged up and rendered ineffective as control measures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Improved working conditions for employees by identifying and minimising potential health risks.
WHAT DOES THE RISK ASSESSMENT INCLUDE?
The assessment will develop an Air Quality Profile to look at the building function and occupancy and the impact of Indoor Air Quality. This profile will be achieved by:-
- Collecting and reviewing existing records for Air Hygiene control
- Conducting a walkthrough inspection of the building, visual inspection of accessible ductwork and associated air handling units, inspection of heating, cooling, humidification, and air distribution systems
- Collection of detailed survey information on plant, occupants and potential of substances hazardous to health
- Sampling of indoor Air Quality at selection of locations
- Reporting of findings and recommendations
- Recommendations to develop an Air Hygiene control scheme.
OUR SERVICE
Contact H2O Chemicals Ltd for full details of our Air Hygiene Risk Assessment.
