Allergens such as pollens are common outdoors but if we talk about indoor settings dust, molds, and food allergens can cause allergies. These kinds of allergies can also happen in the workplace. If your employees are coughing and sneezing at the office, it will not only hinder their work but also have a bad impact on their health.
So, reducing allergies at your office is the most important step that you should take for the well-being of employees. Allergies can be caused by different factors. There are some allergens that are common to everyone and some allergens are specific to individuals. It is better to get rid of each of them to create a healthy environment.
In this blog, we are going to discuss what are the common allergens in the workplace and how to reduce allergies in the workplace.
Common Allergies at the Workplace
Here is the list of allergies that are common at the workplace:
Dust
Dust allergy is the most common allergy in the workplace. It is mostly caused by dust mites that hide in carpets and office furniture. If the office is always dusty and your employees are exposed to dust for longer, they may develop a dust allergy.
Symptoms of dust allergy are runny nose, coughing, itching in the nose, irritation in the eyes, and shortness of breath.
Mold
Mold is a fungus that can be found outside or at the workplace. Molds multiply because of moisture and food leftovers. The presence of mold can cause different types of allergies in employees.
The symptoms of these allergies are itchiness, congestion, sneezing, redness, and dry skin.
Fragrances
Fragrances do not usually cause allergies but can create an uncomfortable environment. However, some employees can also have allergies to certain perfumes. Fragrances are made of chemicals that can be irritants which can cause a runny nose and itchiness in the eyes and throat.
Pets Danders
Usually, offices do not allow pets on the office premises but some offices do not have a no-pet policy. Pet danders can cause allergies in some people like asthma, trouble breathing, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Food Allergy
Foods like eggs, milk, wheat, and seafood can cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of food allergies range from itchiness to throat tightening and difficulty breathing.
Airborne Chemicals
Employees can also be exposed to certain chemicals at the workplace. It can include paints, printer ink, and cleaning products. The chemical irritants can cause itchiness, eye discomfort, or headaches.
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How to Prevent Allergies in The Workplace
As allergies can cause discomfort to employees and hinder their daily work activities, it is always recommended to follow specific protocols at work to keep the workplace free of allergens. Let’s discuss how to deal with allergies at the workplace.
1. Improve Ventilation:
Providing proper ventilation and reducing the air pollution inside the office is the best way to get rid of dust allergies. If the office air is clean and free of dust, the presence of dust mites will be greatly reduced. Moreover, cleaning the office thoroughly is also important to make it dust-free.
Regular cleaning and installation of proper ventilation systems inside the office get rid of many types of allergies and are also important for the well-being of employees.
2. Reduce Moisture:
The presence of moisture is the favorite place for mold and mildew to thrive in. Mold and mildew are moisture lovers so in this condition they will reproduce rapidly and as a result will cause allergies to the employees.
Check if there is any leak in the workplace and repair it. Monitor the humidity level inside the office. It should be between 30% and 50%. Moisture levels of more than 50% will result in increased growth of mold.
3. Follow No-Pet Policy:
Most of the offices already follow the No-Pet policy, so if you need to follow it start implementing it strictly. Pets are cute but there are many individuals that are allergic to pet danders. Bringing pets to the office can cause discomfort to those employees who are allergic to pet danders.
4. Avoid Food leftovers and Garbage:
Food leftovers and Garbage can cause the fungus to grow on it. If you keep the food for a longer time it will become moldy. These molds can also enter the atmosphere and can spread to employees.
If a person is allergic to these molds, he can get an infection which can be severe in some cases. Dispose of the waste regularly and save the food in a sealed container to prevent the molds from growing.
5. Use Air-Purifier:
Using an air purifier is also a good investment to reduce allergies in the workplace. Consider installing air purifiers at the desks of employees who have severe allergy issues.
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Can Air Cleaning Devices Help in Reducing Allergies?
Installing air cleaning devices like air filters and purifiers is a great way to reduce allergies in the workplace. Air purifiers have HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that can remove tiny dust particles or any other allergens including pollens, pet dander, mold, etc. from the air.
Choosing these air filter depend on the company size and number of employees. There are many different air filters varying on the basis of size and efficiency of HEPA filters. Maintenance of these filters according to the requirement of the manufacturer is also essential. It requires proper cleaning and maintenance to work properly.
Air cleaning devices are quite expensive but they can be a good investment for the hygiene and health of your employees.
Responsibilities of Employees in Reducing Allergies
Reducing allergies at the workplace is not just the responsibility of employers but office employees should also play their part in reducing them. Here are some of the responsibilities of employees in reducing allergies:
- Inform your employer and colleagues if you have a certain allergy to avoid any mistakes from their side.
- Always take precautionary measures and keep your medication with you to avoid any severe conditions.
- If you inspect any issue in the office that can be a source of allergy like water leaks, the presence of mold or bugs, or issues in the purifier, report it immediately.
- Use recommended personal protective equipment for your own safety.
- If your office is following any allergen control policy, you should also follow it.
