How to plan for a safe and gradual return to the workplace

In the Nordic countries, the recommendations to work from home have been lifted, which means a major change for many workplaces. Finally, we can look forward to a more normal life after two years of restrictions. But infection rates are still high, and the pandemic is not over. Therefore, the authorities are calling for a safe and gradual return to the workplace. Here are some tips to help you with your planning.

Coronavirus and many other viruses are transmitted through aerosols that can stay airborne for hours and fill an entire room. The ventilation system adds oxygen and increases air circulation but is rarely optimized for the activities that takes place in the premises. Nor does the ventilation system clean the indoor air from small particles such as viruses, bacteria, pollen, allergens, volatile organic compounds, and combustion particles that accumulate indoors. Indoor air can be up to 50 times dirtier than outdoor air, and poor air quality is a major contributor to several serious diseases such as allergies, asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease. Poor indoor air quality also affects cognitive ability.

The workplace environment is the employer’s responsibility

A safe and healthy working environment with good indoor air quality is the responsibility of employer. Considering the current situation, it is appropriate to make a risk assessment of the work environment. This includes evaluating air quality.

Here are our top tips how to create a safe workplace

1. Analyze your premises
Make a risk assessment and analyze the air in the workplace. How many people stay in the room, what activities takes place, what does the ventilation system look like, what sources of pollution are there.

2. Keep distance
Spreading out in the premises and keeping the number of people at meetings down are simple measures to maintain good air quality and create security for each employee.

3. Ventilate properly
Each workplace should have a ventilation system adapted to the specific needs of the workplace. It should be switched on two hours before the start of the working day and switched off no earlier than two hours after the last person has left the building. If ventilation system is missing or is insufficient, this should be remedied.

4. Clean the air with air cleaners
Freestanding air cleaners capture the smallest and most hazardous particles and increase the air circulation. Choose a solution that doesn’t spread unfiltered air, is tailored for the specific needs with the appropriate technology, the right filters, sufficient capacity, and positioned correctly in the room.

5. Plan long term
Get professional help to find long-term solution.

Invest in the health of your employees

The benefits of investing in air quality are many – first and foremost, you ensure the health of the staff, reduce sick leave, and increase productivity. By showing that you as an employer prioritize the work environment, you can also increase security among employees and the willingness to reside at the workplace. Depending on your business, the indoor air can also have an impact on the attractiveness of customers and visitors, affect the durability of products and the efficiency of various processes.

Contact us – we will help you

We can help you investigate the possibilities of improving your work environment through a risk assessment free of charge.