As the COVID safety measures continue to drop, there are many strategies you can implement to help lower your risk of getting sick in the office. Getting sick at work is not fun, so we’ll talk about 4 strategies to help keep you from getting sick at work.
Upgrade Your HVAC Filters
First, update your HVAC filters. Lower MERV rated filters, like MERV 8, were a popular choice in business buildings, however, they only filter out larger particles like dust. COVID-19 has raised awareness of smaller particulates that are impossible to see with the naked eye, so using HEPA filters and air filters with higher MERV rating is important. Ask if your company upgraded their filters to MERV 13 or higher. If not, or if you work in a smaller room with other people, consider purchasing a quality personal air cleaner. Make sure the air cleaner has enough air exchange for the size of the room that you’re in. There are also many desktop air purifiers out there that work great for your personal space as well. Just do your research on them before you purchase one.
Ventilation Could Keep You From Getting Sick At Work
Second, bring in outside air. In the past, it was thought that inside air is better than outside air, and in many cases, it is. Especially when outside air is contaminated (eg. wildfires, etc.), however, ventilation is now a key process in increasing your indoor air quality. Bringing in outside air can help “dilute” the contaminated air inside, thus increasing your indoor air quality. Many new HVAC systems now include bringing in outside air to mix with the recirculation of FILTERED inside air. UV lighting systems are sometimes added to HVAC systems to help further improve air quality.
Stay Away!
Third, enforce some rules. Rules should be set in place at your work place to help everyone feel more safe and comfortable. Stay out of personal space and be considerate of how one may feel if you get too close. The pandemic may be over, however, people may still feel uncomfortable about being too close to one another.
Keep From Getting Sick At Work By Washing Your Hands
Fourth on our list comes as an obvious one, always wash your hands. Although it was determined that COVID-19 was mostly transmitted through the air, there are many other bacteria and viruses that can get you sick through hand-to-mouth transmission. Always wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom and so on. Use your best judgement.
Silver Lining?
One important aspect that changed since the COVID-19 pandemic is upgrading your HVAC systems. If you’re searching for any type of silver lining from the COVID pandemic, one could be that it raised awareness of how necessary indoor air quality is. The pandemic may have caused a development of improved HVAC systems that may help protect us from future pandemics, or at the very least, help us be more prepared. Let us know what you think in the comments below. And if you have any questions on how you may be able to improve indoor air quality in you building, please don’t hesitate to contact us.