The need to create a clean, safe environment in the workplace is especially important when members of the public have access to a building. Read on to learn how special air-flow equipment can be used to improve safety in hygiene-critical environments.
Filtration
Air-conditioning systems can be responsible for the spread of pathogens and toxins throughout a building, which is why architects and developers must exercise caution when designing integrated units. A poorly designed air-conditioning system can negatively affect the health of workers, whilst shoppers in large retail centres may be unnecessarily exposed to airborne pathogens.
Companies that carry out research and development in areas that are accessible to the public must also take care, not only in ensuring that air-conditioning units are clean and functional, but in making sure that people cannot contaminate sensitive equipment or materials. Equally, companies have a duty to ensure that their activities do not cause harm to the general public, so visitors, customers and clients must be protected from potentially dangerous substances.
Air-flow filtration systems are commonly deployed to good effect in hygiene-sensitive areas. Laminar or multi-directional cabinets are used to filter the air in which certain materials or substances are handled. Unlike many air-conditioning units, which ought not to be regarded as sterile, a laminar air flow cabinet does not recycle filtered air.
Laminar and multi-directional air-flow cabinets work by directing filtered air over a particular area. The air is free of contaminants, having been passed through an HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which extracts bacteria, dirt and dust particles from the air. Workers are able to handle sensitive materials and substances, such as semi-conductors, microchips and biological samples, in this sterile area. The constant flow of air provides an effective source of protection from airborne contaminants. HEPA filters have an approximate efficiency of 99.9 per cent.
Commercial Uses
Laminar and multi-directional air-flow cabinets and hoods are ideal for use in commercial environments that are accessible to the public. Visitors can expose particle-sensitive materials and equipment to dust and dirt unless they are wearing sufficient protective clothing or are not allowed to enter hygiene-critical areas. Air-flow hoods and cabinets can be used in research and development units that are open to non-workers. Because these systems provide a steady flow of filtrated air over materials that are sensitive to contaminants, business owners need not be concerned about the presence of unprotected workers.
Air-flow systems also help to prevent members of the public from being exposed to microscopic particles, toxins or pathogens, which from a health-and-safety point of view is extremely important. Visitors are protected because, as noted above, the filtered air is not recycled. Potentially dangerous particles are trapped in the HEPA filters and not redistributed throughout the room or in some other part of the building. Protecting people from dangerous contaminants is obviously beneficial for employers who take their health-and-safety obligations seriously.
One example of how members of the public may be protected by air-flow systems can be found in the pharmaceutical industry. Drug preparation is notoriously hazardous. Workers often wear masks and protective clothing to avoid exposure to chemicals, whilst the substances being prepared must be protected from contaminants. Air-flow systems can guarantee a safe environment for everyone and they are especially useful in space-limited areas, where customers, clients or patients may be required to wait as drugs or medical applications are prepared.
AUTHOR BIO:
Jeffrey Banks writes about health, medicine and technology for a number of blogs and websites. Having used a laminar air flow cabinet in the past, he is fully aware of the benefits of air-flow systems in commercial environments.
