How to Tell If Your Workplace Air Is Making Staff Ill

Most workplace hazards are easy to spot. A wet floor, exposed machinery or trailing cables all present obvious risks. 

Airborne contaminants are different. 

Employees can breathe in harmful dust, fumes, vapours or mist every day without realising it. Over time, this exposure may lead to headaches, respiratory problems, fatigue or even long-term occupational illnesses. 

If several members of staff are experiencing similar symptoms, it may not be a coincidence. It could be a sign that your workplace air quality needs investigating. 

This guide explains the warning signs to look for, why they happen and when air quality monitoring in the workplace should be considered.

What Is Poor Indoor Air Quality? 

Poor indoor air quality occurs when the air inside a building contains contaminants that may affect people's health or well-being. 

These contaminants can include: 

• Dust from manufacturing or woodworking 

• Welding fumes 

• Chemical vapours 

• Solvent fumes 

• Metal particles 

• Smoke 

• Oil mist 

• Fine particulate matter 

• Biological contaminants such as mould 

Some contaminants are visible, but many are completely invisible and odourless, making them much harder to detect without monitoring. 

Signs Your Workplace Air Could Be Affecting Staff 

Staff Frequently Complain of Headaches 

If your employees regularly experience headaches during work that improve after leaving the building, poor air quality may be contributing to this problem. 

Airborne chemicals, inadequate ventilation or elevated contaminant levels can all affect comfort and concentration. 

Persistent Coughs or Breathing Problems 

If your staff are experiencing frequent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath should never be ignored. 

These symptoms may indicate exposure to dust, fumes or airborne particles that require investigation under COSHH. 

Eye, Nose or Throat Irritation 

Burning eyes, sore throats or irritated nasal passages are common signs of exposure to airborne contaminants. 

If multiple employees report similar symptoms, it's worth assessing the environment.  

Staff Feel Better Away from Work 

One of the biggest indicators is when symptoms disappear during evenings, weekends or holidays, then returning shortly after employees are back at work.   

This pattern can suggest the workplace environment is contributing to the problem. 

Dust Builds Up Quickly 

Visible dust settling on machinery, work surfaces or equipment can indicate airborne particles are circulating throughout the workplace. 

Even if the dust appears harmless, fine particles can remain suspended in the air long after larger particles have settled. 

Strong Odours Are Regularly Present 

While smell alone doesn't determine whether air is safe, persistent chemical or solvent odours may indicate airborne contaminants are not being effectively captured or extracted. 

Why Air Quality Monitoring Matters 

Not all airborne contaminants can be seen or smelt. 

That's why air quality monitoring in the workplace is often the only reliable way to understand what employees are actually breathing. 

Monitoring measures airborne substances and compares exposure levels against Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), helping employers determine whether existing controls are working effectively. 

The results can also identify trends before they become serious health issues. 

When Should You Carry Out Air Quality Monitoring? 

What Does HSG258 Say? 

The HSG258 Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work guidance, published by the Health and Safety Executive, provides practical advice on designing, using, testing and maintaining Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems. 

It emphasises that simply installing extraction equipment isn't enough. Systems must be properly examined, maintained and tested to ensure they continue to control airborne contaminants effectively. 

Using air monitoring alongside LEV testing provides valuable evidence that control measures are functioning as intended. 

Can LEV Solve Air Quality Problems? 

Where airborne contaminants are generated at source, Local Exhaust Ventilation is often one of the most effective control measures. 

Rather than allowing contaminants to spread throughout the workplace, LEV captures them before employees breathe them in. 

However, even the best-designed system requires: 

• Regular servicing  

• Thorough Examination and Test (TExT)  

• Filter maintenance  

• Performance monitoring  

• Employee training  

Without ongoing maintenance, extraction performance can gradually decline. 

Creating a Healthier Workplace 

Good workplace air quality isn't just about compliance. It helps protect employees, reduce sickness absence and create a healthier, more productive working environment. 

By recognising the early warning signs and carrying out air quality monitoring in the workplace, businesses can identify potential problems before they develop into long-term health risks. 

Combined with well-maintained LEV systems, regular monitoring provides confidence that airborne contaminants are being effectively controlled. 

How Purex Can Help Create a Safer Workplace  

At Purex, we help businesses identify, monitor and control airborne contaminants through specialist extraction systems, LEV servicing and workplace air quality expertise. Our team can help you create a safer working environment. 

Contact Purex today to discuss the right air quality solution for your workplace. 

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