The Role Of FM Teams In The Fight For Clean Air
Charlie Steere, Founder, Kebao Air Ltd.
Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. That’s the belief of the UK government, with the House of Commons Environment Audit Committee estimating in 2010 that the cost of air pollution to national health could exceed £20billion.
Alongside this, the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that most of our exposure to air pollution happens indoors, with these levels being as much as two to five times higher than outdoors. With clean air so important to the population’s wellbeing then, it seems mystifying that the issue of air quality still clouds the national conversation about health.
Most importantly, why is it that ten years after the Environment Audit Committee’s report, UK employers are still behind the rest of the world when it comes to ensuring office air is safe for workers?
The Changing Role Of FM Teams
Before the return of most workers to offices was curtailed by the Prime Minister’s tightening of lockdown measures, the UK saw public transport usage increase to the highest level since the start of the pandemic. Moreover, the Environmental Defense Fund Europe recently released data showing traffic congestion had surged past pre-lockdown levels both inside and outside of London.
However, for those employees who have no other option but to return, facilities management (FM) teams will not only have social distancing measures to enforce and adequate supplies of hand sanitiser to provide, but they will also face increased pollution levels and a workforce apprehensive about coming back.
Here are some ways FM teams can start the process of cleaning up office air:
- Ensure air vents are working and unblocked
Check that air vents are open, working and not blocked by furniture or other items. If they are, the air within the office won’t be able to properly circulate.
- Maintain a good level of humidity
Low levels of office humidity can cause respiratory issues for workers. If levels are too high however, it’s difficult to keep allergens and pollutants under control. Dehumidifiers are one way in which teams can manage humidity levels.
- Invest in office plants
A couple of plants will not only add a verdant aesthetic to your office, but they are nature's way of absorbing toxins and producing oxygen, resulting in improved air quality. Greenery alone however is not a quick fix to poor air quality - plants must be used alongside other measures.
- Purchase air purifiers
One of the best ways to filter out viruses, pollutants and allergens is with an air purifier. Having one in the office will ensure air is cleaner and healthier. Filterless products are your best bet - they reduce the chance of occupational exposure as normal filters can harbour bacteria or viruses which can be a hazard for those changing them.
- Keep the office clean
Staying on top of cleanliness is vital - clean offices are less likely to contain pollutants that can mix with the air or cause harm to employees.
With ways of working having changed so dramatically this year, these are just a few pointers for FM teams to help with the air quality challenge and move safely into the present day.
The Future Of FM
While the UK tries to get back to ‘normal’, the future for facilities managers won’t be the same. COVID-19 and increasing pollution levels mean their job role now goes beyond providing services and office space. Instead, FM staff will start to be involved in more business-wide decisions to balance the use of office buildings and home workers.
As FMs find themselves at the forefront of devising plans to ensure workers also remain safe at home, they are presented with a real opportunity to positively impact the health of employees. Air quality must be part of this conversation.
By ensuring that work spaces - at home or in the office - become sanctuaries of wellness, staff will not only benefit from cleaner air, but safer, more productive, spaces.
While companies try to identify the most effective ways to deal with the unprecedented challenges they face, FM teams are the ones with a vital role to play in ensuring workers can either come back to the office, or remain at home, in a safe, sustainable and clean way.
