Detoxification of the Workplace
What is coming our way is going to be another shake-up, and the reason is because a very real problem has been ignored and discounted for decades while the problem got worse. The genie is now out of the bottle, and there is no going back. This happened when Canada officially made Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) a disability, much like being in a wheelchair or a person with muscular dystrophy.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor has agreed that MCS can fit in the American's with Disability Act and EEOC 1992. That means anyone with MCS can file complaints under EEOC and ADA, and the Department of Labor automatically support a legitimate claim because the law is already in place.
Currently the ADA covers things like asthma, and limits people with limitations and impairments from normal life activities.
"A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment (EEOC, 1992). "
Multiple chemical sensitivities fall within the ADA and EEOC definitions. If their is a complaint, the full resources of these regulatory
Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Issues:
Provide an office or workspace that has working windows.
Make certain the ventilation system is not distributing pollutants throughout the work-site from locations within or outside of the building.
Use HEPA filters in the ventilation system if possible and have ducts maintained.
Have an air quality test performed by an industrial hygiene professional to assess poor air quality, dust, mold or mildew accumulation, VOC concentration, etc.
Work with specialists in the industrial hygiene field by contacting resources like the American Industrial Hygiene Association for a member referral.
Use air purification systems throughout the building or in personal workstations. Work with specialists in the air filtration field by contacting resources like The National Air Filtration Association for a member referral.
Maintain a work environment which is free of pollutants such as fragrances, toxic cleaning agents, pesticides, exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke, etc.
Provide adequate exhaust systems to remove fumes from copiers and similar office machines.
Provide pre-notification of events such as remodeling, painting, pesticide applications, floor waxing, and carpet shampooing by way of signs, memos, e- mail or an employee register. A voluntary registry can be created for people to be notified on a regular basis.
Allow for alternative work arrangements for those people who may be sensitive to the chemical agents used in the above activities such as offering the use of another office, work on another floor of the building, work outside, or work from home.
Use non-toxic building materials, furnishings, and supplies.
Use non-toxic carpeting or alternative floor covering such as tile or cotton throw rugs. Products can be used to reduce the out-gassing of newly laid carpeting.
If industrial products are being used such as solvents, primers, stains, paints, lubricants, etc., consider any alternative products that could possibly be used that may not illicit an MCS/EI reaction.
If possible, have cleaning, maintenance, and remodeling activities performed when the building is not occupied to reduce employee exposure to these activities.
Discontinue the use of toxic pesticides and opt for an alternative pest management policy.
Where to start? The process is a combination of a deep cleaning program, air duct cleaning, HEPA vacuums, microfiber cleaning tools, and an extensive detoxification and decontamination of the whole facility. Your OMG Sanitized service can assess and evaluate the detoxification process.
