Login
MY CART 
Worker Safety: Venting Fumes
Ensuring that the proper ventilation is set up to reduce and eliminate fumes and other harmful components from the air are incredibly important to an employee’s well-being. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Association, also outlines the health effects that can happen because of poor ventilation. In worst cases, poor ventilation can contribute to “occupational asthma, reversible airway disease, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.”
The safety of your workers is a top priority for any organization. It also starts with safety training and ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to managing and reducing their exposure harmful and irritating fumes.
Ensure Top-Notch Ventilation
If you’re going to have employees working in a space where they will be surrounded by fumes, then it is imperative that the workspace already have the proper ventilation equipment set up. OSHA outlines strict requirements for the upkeep and documentation of all maintenances ventilation equipment. For example, when designing your ventilation system, you need to ensure that the hood of the ventilation unit where it will be collecting the emissions is close to the emissions source as to not allow those chemicals to go elsewhere.
Additionally, because these units will be working hard to omit fumes in the workspaces, it is important that frequent testing is done to ensure the quality of the ventilation. If these systems cease to work properly, not only are you putting your workers at risk, but you could face hefty fines from OSHA and incur high maintenance costs to fix the problems. Allied Rentals has several ventilation options available to help ensure the safety of your workspace.
Additional ways to reduce exposure to fumes in the workplace
Aside from having the proper ventilation put in place, there are other ways you can education your workers on best practices to reduce their exposure to fumes and harmful chemicals:
Safety Training
Almost all organizations have some sort of safety training but when it comes to places like warehouses, manufacturing plants, or the like, their standards are twice as high and much stricter. Having employees undergo routine safety training is the first line of defense for them to protect themselves. Make sure your employees know how to operate the ventilation equipment you have on site.
Wearing Protective Gear
Even the best ventilation equipment can’t vent 100% of fumes, so if workers are working directly with harmful chemicals, then it’s important that they have the right equipment. Workers should have high-quality gloves, masks, goggles, and other gear that would be applicable to reduce their exposure.
Workers are taking a risk to their health every day when they work with chemicals and expose themselves to fumes. It’s important that no stone is left unturned when it comes to a worker’s safety. Ensuring that the proper ventilation is put into place will be the first (and most crucial) line of defense. To find the right ventilation option for your needs, contact Allied Rentals to speak with a climate control specialist.