Workplace Safety: Improving Indoor Air Quality Training Course

Since many Americans spend most of their day inside the workplace, indoor air quality is an important health issue. Breathing in polluted air has long-term health effects that can be severe or even fatal. Understanding how to identify and mitigate common toxins is vital in improving the indoor air quality of schools, office spaces, warehouses, and other indoor workplaces.

There are three main categories of indoor pollutants: biological, chemical, and particle. Biological toxins are those that form naturally like bacteria, dust mites, and fungi. They are often found in areas with inadequate housekeeping or moisture control. Chemical pollutants include gases, like carbon monoxide, that are emitted from space equipment. This equipment includes cleaning and pesticide products, adhesives, and paints. Particle toxins can be solid or liquid and are drawn into the building from an outside source. Common examples are dirt and dust. These pollutants are usually traced back to something in either the building's location, design, or materials and should be dealt with immediately to reduce exposure.

Exposure to poor IAQ can have long-term and severe health effects like asthma, heart disease, and cancer. Failure to address indoor air pollutants puts workers at risk of developing these and other diseases. Having a plan in place, known as an IAQ management approach, is the first line of defense in addressing air quality issues. Once an issue has been identified, teams need to work to quickly isolate and control the problem. This can be done through source management, engineering controls, and administrative controls. All three of these approaches are effective in handling IAQ issues.

This course will help you identify and respond to indoor air quality issues that may affect the health and safety of workers. Understanding how to identify and handle air pollutants is the first step in making sure all employees can breathe easily at work!

This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.