As an employer, you have a legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy working environment for your employees. Whilst safety regulations can be put into practice, ensuring a healthy workplace is a little more difficult. Having a healthy workforce, however, unlocks a number of business centric benefits. These include higher productivity and better morale.
There’s no doubt that a comfortable work environment is integral to your company’s success. All of these aims can be achieved easily and affordably with the right professional assistance. As a leading provider of air conditioning and ventilation installations, we provide free health check surveys for those looking to enhance the health of their workforce and wider workplace.
So what are the signs that it’s time for a work environment health check?
Your current unit is dirty and inefficient
A variety of health issues, including sick building syndrome (SBS), have been attributed directly to exposure to environments serviced by dirty and inefficient air conditioning. Without the right use and maintenance, the effects of air conditioning can have a negative impact on your workforce. Dry eyes, summer colds and sensitive skin are all problems associated with dirty air-conditioning systems. The continuous circulation of germ-ridden air can be particularly bad news for individuals more susceptible to illness or those with allergies.
If your air-conditioning system is dirty, inefficient or prone to leaks then requesting a health check should be your next step.
Your air conditioner isn’t fully compliant
Compliance is no longer a bonus, it’s a necessity. According to the latest legislation, all air conditioners above a 12kW output must have a current TM44 Energy Performance Certificate. Without complying to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007, you not only put your workers at risk but could face personal or corporate prosecution. The Department for Communities and Local Government’s air-conditioning inspections for buildings guidance details exactly why compliance is important:
“Having an air conditioning system inspected by an accredited air conditioning energy assessor is designed to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, operating costs and the carbon emissions of the system… Inspection, maintenance and cleaning programmes maintain the ability of the system to provide healthy and comfortable environments for building occupants, limiting the escape of refrigerant gases and ensuring the safety of equipment.”
Employers also have a legal obligation to protect their workers with regular and professional maintenance in accordance with Gas Safety Regulations 1998 and the Workplace Regulations of 1992.
Your system isn’t the breath of fresh air you expected
You and your employees will feel the effects of a poor quality, badly maintained air-conditioning system sooner than you think. Systems that don’t provide fresh air will leave the people in your building feeling drowsy and lethargic. Lack of fresh air will also increase the number of sick days taken by your employees.
Our air conditioning and ventilation specialists provide all the help and advice you need to reap the rewards of a happy, healthier and air-conditioned office space. To find out more about our free health survey please click here to read our brochure, or get in touch to arrange your work environment health check.
