How JTA Can Help

JTA has highly qualified and experienced Occupational Hygienists who will establish the current state of your ventilation and identify opportunities to improve ventilation with the aim of reducing potential COVID-19 transmission through aerosols. Our Ventilation Assessment will help you to eliminate or reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and improve ventilation indoors in settings such as workplaces, entertainment venues, apartment buildings, schools and hospitals.

A Ventilation Assessment includes:

• A review of fixed heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and arrangements
• A review of proposed administrative arrangements for occupancy and risk management
• Provision of a report detailing the findings of the investigation and recommendations to reduce the risk of airborne COVID 19 transmission
• Provision of recommendations for the monitoring of the effectiveness of ventilation systems and controls following occupancy

GENERAL COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

COVID-19 is able to be transmitted via two primary means:

• Through the air via aerosols or droplets being expired by one person and inhaled (or contacting the mouth, nose or eyes) of another
• Through surface contact transmission such as hand to mouth / nose /eyes

The generation of aerosols can be increased through coughs, sneezes and talking, with other vocal activities such as yelling / singing likely to increase the risk of aerosol generation. Aerosols which are generated and capable of carrying COVID-19 from an infected person have a very small aerodynamic diameter, are able to stay airborne for many hours and move around the air space with the air movement.
Fans, air conditioning systems, people moving and natural ventilation as well as the initial force generating the aerosol will all influence an aerosol’s movement in a room.

The Benefits

• External point of view from a qualified, independent Occupational Hygienist
• Employee health and wellbeing improved
• Complete management of indoor ventilation issues
• Peace of mind that you are reducing the risk of indoor airborne transmission of COVID-19

Your Duty In Relation To Ventilation Assessments

The Victorian Occupational Health & Safety Act requires employers to so far as is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. Employers must also monitor conditions at any workplace under the employer's management and control. Whilst there is no COVID specific requirements in relations to ventilation, there is a Compliance Code for Workplace Amenities and Work Environment that details requirements in relation to workplace ventilation, air quality and air-conditioning generally.