When people talk about problems with their workspaces or their office environment, they often complain about management or coworkers. They might mention that their cubicle or office space is too small or too loud. Maybe they talk about how frustrating it is to navigate their office, or how the overall layout makes no sense. These are all fairly common complaints. Another complaint is one that is often mentioned, but not always addressed. The air quality of an office or factory can have a large effect on the quality of the work produced by employees.
Appropriate humidification and dust suppression can directly affect the health and output of employees. Air quality is something of which many workers are aware, but unless it is noticeably poor, they may not push for its improvement. However, it is vital for the air that employees breathe, to be clean, particle-free, and of an appropriate temperature. The installation of commercial and industrial humidifiers in a workplace can improve worker health, output, and attitude.
Low humidity can take its toll on a company’s workforce in numerous ways. For starters, employees who are exposed to dry air over a prolonged length of time are more likely to develop upper-respiratory infections and nose bleeds. This is due to the fact that dry air causes the mucus membranes lining then nostril to dry out and crack, creating entry points in which bacteria and pathogens can enter the body.
As we discussed in a previous blog post, low humidity can also trigger allergic reactions. Employees who battle with allergies may experience ‘attacks’ when working in environments with dry air. Normally, the moisture vapor in the air works to control dust and other allergens by catching them. When there’s not enough of moisture vapor in the air, however, allergens such as this are allowed to flow more freely through the air.
A third way in which low humidity impacts the workplace is the potential for electrostatic discharge (ESD) – a phenomenon that occurs when electricity jumps from one object to another. An employee performing routine maintenance or service on a computer, for instance, may notice a spark when touching a component. Although painless, even minor sparks can damage or destroy computer components, adding further headache to the employee’s day.
Don’t assume your employees are safe from the effects of low humidity just because your office/workplace is in a region with mid-to-high year-round humidity. Even if the outdoor air contains a proper humidity, the indoor air may not. In fact, indoor air is often more humid during the winter because warm air holds less moisture; thus, it has a lower relative humidity (RH) compared to the outdoor air.
A humidifier can promote a positive work environment by eliminating the potential for illness and health conditions related to dry air, as well as lowering the risk for electrostatic discharge. These devices will emit moisture vapor into the surrounding atmosphere; thus, protecting employees from all of the harmful effects associated with exposure to dry air.
The bottom line is that every workplace should have a commercial-grade humidifier. From warding off allergies and upper-respiratory infections to preventing ESD, there are a countless number of reasons why employers should invest in humidifiers. When these issued are addressed, employees will have a more comfortable environment in which to work, which typically results in increased productivity and efficiency.
Making the Workday More Pleasant
If you are sneezing and coughing your way through work every day, it could be that you are sensitive to something in the air around you. If your coworkers do not wear perfume and your office space is relatively clean, it may be that the overall air quality is what is affecting your ability to feel healthy in your workspace. Dust particles, pollen, dander, and airborne pollutants blown in from the street, can all collect in the air around you and can make simply breathing in and out difficult.
The air quality in an office, warehouse, or factory environment can be improved through the use of commercial and industrial humidifiers. These large-scale humidification systems can add moisture to the air, control temperatures, and most importantly, factor into dust suppression. If everyone in your office seems to be suffering from hay fever-like symptoms, it may be time to look into a commercial humidification system. Getting through the workday is tough enough without having to reach for a tissue every few minutes.
Improving Air Quality at Work
Dust issues can truly affect the quality of life in a home or workplace, and if left unaddressed, lead to chronic and debilitating respiratory problems. In places where dust is regularly generated, such as factories or manufacturing centers, the health of employees can become a very important issue. In order to ensure that employees in workspaces that generate dust are not susceptible to illness or respiratory damage, companies should consider installing a commercial humidification system.
Non-wetting humidification aids in dust suppression, improves the overall quality of the air, and can help maintain optimal temperatures within the workplace. It will not cause damage to parts or machinery, as it does not humidify via the traditional route of pumping a wet mist into the space. Instead, non-wetting humidification can change the air quality via the use of a non-wetting fog. For companies that manufacture electronic parts, non-wetting humidification systems are especially helpful in controlling static electricity, which can damage components. If your office or factory is experiencing problems with air quality or dust control, consider a non-wetting humidification system to improve the air and the overall work environment.
Improving Health Safety in the Workplace
Industrial static control is vital for many industries. For companies that work with small electrical components, it is not only an issue of functionality and efficiency, but of worker safety. The electrical charge that can build up on some pieces of equipment, machinery, or components, can severely shock staff or start electrical fires. In order to reduce the possibility of issues like this occurring, many companies utilizecommercial and industrial humidifiers.
Commercial humidification systems allow a company to control the amount of moisture in the air and the temperature. Since the system is non-wetting, there is little possibility for parts to become corroded, rusty, or damaged. Instead, the humidification system controls static buildup, improves air quality, and keeps working areas cool or warm, depending on what is needed. The systems can also aid in dust suppression in factories where small, airborne particles are an issue. If properly installed and utilized, a commercial humidification system can vastly improve the health and safety of any working environment.
Static Electricity in the Workplace
Static electricity can be fascinating, frustrating, or downright dangerous. When we were young, sticking balloons to each other after a celebration, making our hair stand on end, or shocking our siblings by touching them after sliding on the living room rug, were fun and benign static electricity experiences. Later, we grew frustrated when our favorite dress shirt or skirt stuck to us, when we were trying to look attractive and put together. Or, we felt like yelling when we took off a winter cap, only to have our hair follow the hat into the air. In a work environment, static electricity can wreak havoc, making the manufacture of certain items dangerous or difficult, or causing machinery to malfunction, or workers to experience daily discomfort.
In work environments where static electricity is an issue, there are options for industrial static control. A properly utilized commercial humidification system, especially one that utilizes non-wetting fog, can balance the air in a workplace so that the build-up of static electricity is reduced or eliminated. This can make working conditions exponentially safer, and workers a great deal more comfortable, as the air will feel noticeably less dry without being damp. If your staff is complaining about issues with static electricity, consider investing in a static control and humidification system. It will improve the health of your employees, the safety of your workplace, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Work Conditions and Company Reputations
The recent explosive report about Apple’s iPad factory work conditions (a report that was later found to be false), highlighted some of the problems that can occur within facilities that produce electronics. Static buildup and poor air quality due to the presence of dust and other more toxic particles can make working in such factories unpleasant and occasionally downright dangerous. Whenever possible issues such as those within a production facility should be dealt with immediately and aggressively as it affects to health of the workers exposed to those conditions. It should also be noted that healthy workers equal a higher level of output and a greater profit. In short, healthy air quality within a production facility is a win win for the Corporation and the workers.
With that said, Industrial static control can be achieved by using non-wetting commercial and industrial humidifiers. A non-wetting humidification system can also aid in dust suppression. By regulating factory temperatures, pumping just the right amount of moisture into the air, and suppressing particulate matter, commercial humidifiers can vastly improve the quality of life within a factory. It ensure that your company will not find themselves the subject of a tell-all exposé.
Smart Fog has all the systems needed to provide healthy air for commercial and industrial facilities.
The Link Between Humidifiers and Productivity: Why They’re Essential for Offices
Productivity is crucial for any organization to succeed in the modern world. In fact, businesses today place organizational productivity as their top priority to meet the ever-increasing demands of markets. That’s because an efficient workforce not only drives growth and success for the company but also helps ensure sustainability in the long run.
However, many organizations struggle with creating a conducive work environment to foster productivity. Though they consider factors like lighting and temperature, humidity is an aspect that is usually neglected.
This blog will explore the link between humidifiers and productivity in office spaces and dive into the benefits of incorporating them. The purpose is to provide companies with valuable insight into utilizing humidity control to optimize productivity.
Helps Reduce Sick Days Off
One of the biggest links between humidifiers and productivity is that it improves indoor air quality and substantially reduces sick days off.
Studies show that low humidity levels can make the environment more conducive to the spread of airborne diseases. As a result, they significantly increase the chances of more employees falling ill, adversely impacting a company’s productivity.
On the other hand, by incorporating a humidifier in the workplace, companies can prevent the spread of airborne viruses. That’s because they substantially reduce the survival rate of specific viruses, making it harder to spread from person to person. This means employees are less likely to get sick, resulting in fewer days off.
Improves Cognitive Health
According to a study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, office air highly impacts an employee’s cognitive function and productivity. This includes functions such as their response time and the ability to focus. Researchers revealed that individuals who work in lower air quality environments show impaired cognitive functions. As a matter of fact, up to PM2.5 levels were noted to cause severe reductions in cognitive function.
This means that offices with poor air quality are more likely to be less productive. Comparatively, workplaces with humidifiers are bound to have more active, alert, and productive employees.
Increases Employee Morale and Mental Health
Dry indoor air can make employees uncomfortable and cause issues like dry skin and scratchy throat. In this way, it can adversely affect how they feel about their work. Besides, scientific studies show there is a strong link between air quality and mental health. In fact, research suggests that polluted air can lead to feelings of depression.
That’s why there’s a link between humidifiers and productivity in helping employees feel more positive about their workspace. After all, it can help contribute to the overall well-being of employees. When employees feel more positive, their morale is also likely to improve. In this way, companies can ensure high productivity and employee retention levels.
Do you wish to create a healthier and more productive work environment? Then it’s time you invest in some of the best commercial humidifiers out there. At Smart Fog, we provide high-quality industrial humidifiers to maintain optimal humidity levels and promote employee health.
