How to Approach Air Quality in Your Contracting Business

You may not think about outdoor air quality all the time. In the past month or two, it’s been hard not to. Air quality can affect the way you work or how you feel while you’re working. In the worst cases, it can make you sick. Since construction is an industry that combines working inside and outside, it makes sense to address both. Here are a few factors to consider as you think about how air quality affects your contracting business.

Ventilation
One of the biggest causes of poor indoor air quality is a lack of ventilation. This can also be true for portable outdoor structures used on the construction site. It’s important to start any analysis of jobsite air quality by considering the ventilation options on the property. Older buildings undergoing renovation may have no more ventilation available than an open window or door. If you’re working primarily or exclusively outside, it’s tempting to think that you don’t need ventilation. But depending on the condition of the air and the type of work you’re doing, this may be insufficient. In some cases, you may need to add protective gear to ensure that you’re not breathing harmful contaminants while working.

Indoor Filtration
At the very least, the indoor spaces in which you are working should have a functional HVAC system. You’d like to assume that this will always be the case. But for older buildings or buildings that are partially under construction, it’s not necessarily a reasonable assumption to make. A functioning ventilation system will contain a supply of fresh air and a means to cycle air out. It usually also has some kind of filtration system to trap contaminants and keep them from entering the indoor space. Ask about the filtration of buildings where you are working. If it’s insufficient, consider:

• Increasing the level of filtration
• Wearing a higher degree of protective gear
• Using an air purifier
• Performing more of the work outside, where appropriate
• These steps may dramatically improve the air quality of your workspace.

Protective Gear
If the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that not all masks are created equal. Most people prefer to work in the least confining circumstances. But in some cases, that may lead people to use masks that can’t actually filter out the most harmful environmental toxins. For example, if you’re working outside in an area recently affected by wildfires, you may need stronger filtration for your mask, as well as eye protection. Experts recommend taking additional precautions if the Air Quality Index reaches above 151. Low air quality can make even basic work on the jobsite more dangerous, requiring extra gear. It’s wise to stock up on filtration cartridges, as they can be difficult to find during wildfire season.

Flexibility
One of the best things that you can do is find ways to adapt your working environment based on the current air quality. For example, if the air outside is horrible, being able to shift some of your tasks to an indoor warehouse space makes sense. Similarly, when the air is relatively good outside, you’ll usually have better ventilation outdoors than you would indoors. Just make sure to tailor your equipment to the task at hand, as well as your location and the current climate. All of these factors can affect how well your ventilation and protective gear works.

Monitoring Air Quality
When it comes to the air you breathe, the last thing that you want is to leave anything to chance. This means that you do not want to wait to see what the air will be like by the time you arrive at the jobsite. Read forecasts and pay attention when experts recommend that you spend more time indoors. This will help you to anticipate days in which you might need a better mask, or weeks where you would be better off working indoors as much as possible.

Protecting yourself and your employees is part of your job as a contracting business owner. Gearing up for the licensing exam is another. To discover preparation courses that will help you get ready, visit CSLS today!