A Guide to Environmental Issues in the Workplace

A safe, healthy workplace environment is important for the physical safety, mental well-being and productivity of modern-day employees. Bad air quality and ventilation, as well as asbestos-riddled structures, can lead to sick building syndrome, which can compromise the health and comfort of workers. Not only can poorly managed work settings reduce productivity, but research has shown they may be linked to causing asthma, lung cancer and other medical problems.

Employers need to ensure the health and welfare of their workers. Proactivity can ensure health management savings, low absenteeism and contained insurance premiums. To make sure your business is complying with the law, you should consult the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and follow directives. If necessary, contact an environmental consultant to determine cost-effective ways to handle workplace environment issues. 

1. Poor air quality and ventilation

Poor air quality is most common in manufacturing or work sites that release pollutants but can also be found in standard office buildings. Air quality issues, including excessively high or low humidity, can lead to eye irritation as well as sinus and respiratory issues.

These issues are compounded in workplaces with poor ventilation, which can circulate viruses, allergens or gases and residue from cleaning supplies. Extended exposure to poor air quality increases the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and other long-term infections. Employees with asthma or compromised immune systems are especially at high risk of poor health conditions due to air quality and ventilation issues.

2. Asbestos

Asbestos is an effective insulator that is often used to strengthen or fireproof materials. However, asbestos exposure can lead to major health issues, so it has been banned in several countries (although it is still legal in the U.S.). It’s especially dangerous because some of the asbestos fibers can remain stuck in the body for decades.

Breathing in asbestos can lead to inflammation and respiratory or lung disease, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Employees who smoke or have asthma are at higher risk from asbestos exposure.

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3. Mold

Mold can form wherever moisture lives and reproduce through small spores, making it a common workplace environmental issue. It grows from excess humidity, condensation, leaking pipes, drips or flooding, all of which are easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.

Unchecked mold can not only lead to long-term building damage but also impact your employees’ health. Exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause eye and throat irritation, nasal congestion, coughing or wheezing and skin irritation. While the severity of these symptoms varies, respiratory complications are more common and severe in individuals with asthma.

4. Noise

Noise may not be the first environmental issue that comes to mind ― after all, ambient noise is present in nearly every workplace. However, consistently excessive noise levels can increase stress and decrease quality of work. Employees may find it hard to concentrate on tasks or understand their co-workers, which can affect productivity quickly.

Noise pollution also carries short- and long-term health risks for employees. Not only can excess noise cause headaches or migraines, but repeated exposure can lead to hearing loss and even heart disease.

5. Ergonomics

The study of ergonomics covers the working conditions that factor into employees’ productivity and well-being. Poor workplace ergonomics can cause fatigue and health issues, reducing productivity and work quality. Not only that, but if enough employees go on leave for physical injuries, your business may have to pay for their compensation and for the hiring and equipping of new workers to fill empty office spaces. You might also have to offer overtime pay to workers who are filling in the gaps during absenteeism. 

Two common issues that negatively impact employee health are poor lighting and uncomfortable desk chairs. Insufficient or excessively bright lighting can not only cause eye strain but also impact decision-making when it comes to visually assessing a product’s quality. Uncomfortable chairs can lead to poor posture and a variety of muscular, joint and bone disorders ― potentially increasing your company’s healthcare costs and employee absenteeism.