Indoor Air Quality and Health and Safety

Indoor Air Quality is both a health and safety hazard as well as a learning condition in the classroom.

When to investigate?

1. The employer must ensure that the indoor air quality is investigated when
   1. complaints are reported,
   2. occupancy in the space changes substantially, or
   3. renovations involving significant changes to the ventilation system occur.
2. An air quality investigation must include
   1. assessment of the ventilation rate, unless the indoor carbon dioxide level is less than 650 ppm above ambient outdoor levels,
   2. inspection of the ventilation system as required in section 4.78(2),
   3. sampling for airborne contaminants suspected to be present in concentrations associated with the reported complaints, and
   4. a record of the complaint, the findings of the investigation, and any actions taken.

4.80 Temperature and Humidity

The employer must ensure that temperature and humidity levels within the indoor work environment are maintained within acceptable comfort ranges, as far as is practicable.

Note: Refer to the ASHRAE publication Handbook of Fundamentals or to the WorkSafeBC publication Indoor Air Quality for information on acceptable temperature and humidity levels.