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Indoor Air Quality Testing and Liability in Toronto

To fully understand the state of your environment, an indoor air quality test is vital. Because we mostly live and work indoors, the air we take in is crucial. In addition, most of the pollutants in our homes or at work cannot be seen and they do not always give off a smell. Adequate indoor air quality should not be mistaken for hygeine or cleanliness. A home or office that looks completely clean can have a variety of indoor air quality issues that are difficult to rectify if they are not identified properly.

You should consider an Indoor air quality test if you are having:

If you are experiencing any of these, you must consider ordering an air assessment. Poor indoor air quality could be the reason for all of these issues.

Our indoor air quality assessment service provides you with a detailed comprehensive written report on the findings of our indoor air quality tests and detailed recommendations on how you can improve the indoor air quality of your home or office. We pride ourselves on having the most extensive and up to date instrumentation and have been informed by countless clients and colleagues in the industry that we use more equipment and instrumentation than our competitors.  Better equipment as well as extensive experience and industry certification provides better and more valuable air quality assessments.

How Much Does it Cost for Indoor Air Quality Testing?

Ensuring that the air you breathe at work is clean has a greater effect on your job than you may realize. If you’re an employee or a business owner that’s interested in learning more about indoor air quality testing in Toronto, get in touch with us for a free quote and workplace consultation. Our prices are the best in the industry and our services are tailored to the unique atmosphere of your office or work site.

What causes poor indoor air quality?

There are many reasons that the indoor air quality at your office may be poor or contributing to workplace problems like absenteeism or a lack of efficiency. Some of the common problems we come across at SafeAir are:

1. Poor ventilation

Most of us don’t have the luxury of working in brand new buildings with all the bells and whistles, so poor ventilation and air flow is one of the most common problems we encounter. Ventilation encompasses both the air that comes into a building, and how that air leaves - and if one or both of these areas is lacking, the indoor environment can quickly start to affect comfort and your ability to do your job well.

2. Dampness

Water leaks, spills, or floods are the leading cause of mold growth in residential and commercial buildings. Damp environments are physically uncomfortable and can lead to an increase in sickness. However, it can also start or exacerbate mold growth, which can lead to serious health and architectural problems.

3. Building materials

It’s often the materials we use to freshen our office that can cause air quality problems. Paints, glues, and solvents can all release harmful VOCs into the indoor environment, which can seriously affect the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory systems. Additionally, many older buildings contain asbestos, a highly carcinogenic and dangerous mineral that used to be common in everything from insulation to ceiling tiles. Asbestos air quality testing should ALWAYS be performed before, during, and after any renovations in buildings where its use is suspected.

4. Perfumes and sprays

Many workplaces are adopting scent-free policies to help keep the air fresh and clean in their offices. Perfumes and colognes are essentially Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. They contain chemicals that turn into gas when exposed to room temperature. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals can seriously affect the health of your colleagues and make the working environment impossible.

Workplace Liability

Criminal Code changes have been made and listed in Bill C-45. These amendments to the Health and Safety Negligence bill were made on March 31st, 2004. Overall, it presents substantial new responsibilities, more chance of investigation, arrest and the potential of corporations being held liable for crimes within the workplace.

To summarize, being held liable for not providing a safe place to work in is possible for any employer. Inadequate workplace air quality which puts employees in danger, can lead to a prosecution (both criminal or civil).

If an employer (individual and/or organization) cannot provide a workplace that is safe to breathe in, he or she can be investigated and tried under Bill C-45. Criminal charges can be laid as well.

If employers don’t follow proper protocol and investigate air quality complaints from employees, this is called negligence and the employer will be held liable.

How do you test for indoor air quality in your home or workplace?

Many employers are gaining a better understanding of how indoor air quality affects their staff and the atmosphere of their workplace. While an air quality monitor can certainly help alert you to growing problems in your office, the professional approach has been shown to have greater positive outcomes in efficiency, workplace satisfaction, and absenteeism.

Working with the professional teams at SafeAir can give you a comprehensive look into the minutiae of your indoor air quality health. We use a third party laboratory to test all of our samples, providing you with objective results that can be confidently presented to your board, stakeholders, and committees. Our industry-leading specialists work exclusively in indoor air quality testing in Toronto, Mississauga and the GTA, giving us an in-depth understanding of common issues in this geographic area. When it comes to your indoor air environment, SafeAir can offer a range of tests and services that are tailored to the unique needs of your business and ensure your employees safety and wellness.

Does an indoor air quality test detect mold?

If mold is a concern at your workplace, an indoor air quality test can quickly and decisively help you determine if there’s mold, how much, and even what strains are present. This kind of in-depth test helps us to develop a comprehensive plan to remediate your workplace and ensure that we eradicate the problem.

How can I improve indoor air quality?

The good news is that workplace indoor air quality can be easy to fix! For a tailored approach to your office’s needs, call SafeAir for a free consultation. In the meantime, look at the following areas in your office to make concrete improvements.

If you’re renovating or making changes at the office, it’s the perfect time to install new equipment or make changes that improve the indoor air quality. Removing old carpets or painting over lead-based paints can help remove or mitigate the source of ongoing pollution or allergens, while HEPA air filtration systems can help weed out airborne pollutants.

Deciding to not investigate complaints made by employees about poor indoor air quality is now considered to be 'negligence' and will show the employer to be liable.

Provide your employees with a safe place to work by using our indoor air quality services. Having tests or assessments performed regularly will get rid of the possibility of being investigated under the bill and being found negligent. Always listen to your employees and put their health first.

To find out more about Bill C-45, please click here:

 

Book Your Indoor Air Quality Assessment And The Path To A Healthier Indoor Environment.

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We provide a variety of inspection services ranging from inspections and air quality testing to full environmental assessments.  

Please note that all environmental assessments are on a per case basis.  Not all of the above parameters may be tested for and pricing may change.

 

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