Introduction
The problems associated with poor indoor air quality and the possible subsequent effects thereof on workers, as experienced by the Department of Health in the Regional office situated in the Karel Schoeman building (KSB) in Pretoria, were investigated and are discussed. The possible association between the physical indoor environmental conditions and the sick building syndrome (SBS) like symptoms as well as the seemingly low productivity and the above average rate of absenteeism are included in these discussions.
To find a possible association between these poor physical environmental indoor conditions and the potential adverse affects on the health and motivation of workers, a cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the physical, biological and chemical quality of indoor air (Refer to as IAQ – Indoor Air Quality) as well as the chemical and biological quality of the drinking water.
Objectives
This research report documents a project to measure the environmental conditions which include CO(Carbon Monoxide), CO2(Carbon Dioxide), relative humidity( RH), temperature, air velocity, the microbial and chemical composition of the drinking water and culturable micro organisms in specific work environments within the KSB and to compare the outcome to standards for acceptable indoor working environments.
The specific objectives of this study are:
To describe the environmental conditions CO, CO2, RH, temperature and air velocity exposures in specific work environments during the period 2003-2004;
To describe the microbial exposures to Legionellae (which is actually one of a group of similar diseases collectively known as Legionellosis.) To compare measured environmental exposures to the Environmental Regulations for workplaces promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 (Act 85 of 1993) (OHSA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards and other national and internationally recognised standards and
To compare the microbial monitoring results including the evaluation results of the drinking water for culturable micro organisms and E.coli, to the NIOSH and other national and international recognized standards.
Methods
To control for confounding, samples of the drinking water as well as from a stagnant pool in the basement were taken and analysed for bacteriological and chemical compliance as well as identification of any microbes and chemicals that can contribute to SBS
Environmental conditions which include CO, CO2, RH, temperature, air velocity, the microbial and chemical composition of the drinking water and culturable micro organisms including E.coli, in specific work environments were measured.
Measurements were conducted in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the ASHRAE 41.6 of 1994, ACGIH (Handbook for industrial ventilation, EPA building Air quality guidelines, US Department of Labour –OHSA Technical manual),the respective manufacturers recommendations and the SABS Code 0400 of 1990 and sampling of the water in terms of the procedures prescribed by NIOH in the case of sampling for Legionellae and the Microbiological laboratory of the Rietvlei accredited water research laboratory with reference to sampling for identification of micro organisms including E.coli and the chemical composition.
Appropriate recognized analytical methods were used to analyse and interpret the data generated from both the chemical and biological sampling results.
Results
Based on the outcome of the project results, it is clear that the air conditioning system does meet the mentioned minimum prescribed physical environmental national and international norms and standards for indoor air quality.
The findings from the study indicate compliance of the physical environmental conditions to universally accepted standards and no association between those poor physical indoor environmental conditions and the sick building syndrome (SBS) like symptoms as well as the seemingly low productivity and the above average rate of absenteeism could therefore be made. The presence of coliform organisms above the norm in the air samples is however a concern.
Discussion
The OHSA requires employees to access the health and safety risks that hazards pose to their employees in their respective working environments and to take reasonably practicable steps towards eliminating or controlling these hazards. Like any other risks in a workplace environmental conditions need to be identified and controlled based on the principles of risk management.
Conclusion
The above high rate of absenteeism, as perceived by management, could not be associated with the environmental conditions covered in this project. It could however be ascribed, directly or indirectly to the following variables and assumptions which could be categorised under environmental conditions and the management thereof as well as the management of employees/workers located within the building.
Environmental conditions such as substandard quality water supply, the management processes during the decommissioning of the old HVAC system and the commissioning of the replacement system, poor general housekeeping and unacceptable management principles of good quality clean working environments location of the building in the mid city centre of Pretoria and the possible contamination of indoor air by external sources bio quality could be variables contributing to the high rate of absenteeism. The seasonal occurrences of influenza and colds as well as home and external exposures could also possibly be considered as contributing factors in this regard.
In addition poor general workers or people‟s management which could have resulted in low staff morale and personal motivation linked to poor supervision during a period of a very serious organizational restructuring which affected many workers could have also being considered as contributing factors to high absenteeism. Substandard ergonomics could have also played a role during this process.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/11041 |
| Date | 17 January 2012 |
| Creators | Brits, Paul Jacobus |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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