Month: September 2013

Understanding the Proper Usage and Limitations of Cartridge-Type Respirators

Posted on by shasha insurance

A half-mask cartridge-type respirator is the most common type used for protection against solvent vapors.  Many workers believe their respirator is working properly, when in reality it may not be.  You could have the wrong kind of respirator for the task at hand, wrong kind of filter cartridges, leakage and fit problems, or worn-out filter cartridges. Also, keep in mind that filter cartridge respirators just don’t protect you from the vapors produced by all chemicals.

Try to Use Ventilation Where Possible Instead of Relying on Respirators

Ideally your workplace should make full use of fans and local exhaust ventilation to make the air safe, if possible. Make full use of the ventilation you have. Also, never enter a confined space that has not been tested for oxygen content with a cartridge respirator.  Oxygen content must be at least 19.5% to use these types of respirators.

Use the Right Kind of Respirator

Dust masks, surgical masks, and handkerchiefs do NOT protect at all against solvent vapors. Don’t automatically choose an organic vapor (“OV”) filter cartridge respirator. A respirator must be right for the kinds of solvents you use, the amount of vapor in the air, and your work situation.

Make Sure Your Respirator Fits Properly

Any respirator will leak between the mask and face, unless it is fitted right. You must be individually “fit tested” by a trained person when you receive your respirator. There are various mask sizes and shapes. Masks can be “full face” (over the eyes, nose and mouth) or “half face” (nose and mouth only). Facial hair under the sealing edge allows vapor to leak into the mask.

Before Using Your Respirator:

· Look it over. Before you put it on, check it for cracks, damage, or loose parts.

· Check the fit. After you put it on, check the fit yourself. For respirators with masks that seal to the face, do “positive pressure” and “negative pressure” fit tests. These tests are done with the respirator on; block the valves, then exhale and inhale, checking for leaks.

· Clean it up. After use, clean the respirator, if necessary, using soap and water.

· Protect it. Store it in a sealed plastic bag to protect it from dirt and vapors. Protect it from crushing which could deform the shape of the facemask.

Do Not Use Filter Cartridge Respirators with All Solvents

Solvents with poor odor warning ability, such as Freon, carbon tetrachloride and methylene chloride, are not safe to use with filter respirators.You need an odor to warn you at the end of cartridge life or if the respirator leaks.  You should know both the type and concentrations of contaminants in the air of your workplace.

Replace Cartridge Filters Often

Filters may last for a few minutes or a few days of use, depending on the situation. Old filters let vapors leak through. Exit your work area and replace the filters immediately whenever you smell leakage into the mask; you should never be able to smell the chemicals at all when you’re wearing the respirator.

Cartridge-type respirators are safe to use provided you understand their limitations and know how to use them properly.

A Winning Game Plan for Tailgating Season

Posted on by shasha insurance

As Fall quickly approaches, the air grows cooler and the leaves begin to turn, many sports fans look forward to their favorite time of year—tailgating season. For some fans, tailgating simply means sitting on the bumper of their car with friends, enjoying a few snacks and drinks before the game. But for the more devoted tailgaters, football season calls for elaborate, well-organized tailgating events that often include a dedicated tailgating vehicle.

If you’re thinking about joining the ranks of these enthusiastic tailgaters and purchasing a tailgating vehicle of your own, here are a few tips you may want to keep in mind:

Buy wisely

Even if you plan to buy a relatively inexpensive tailgating vehicle to be used only on game days, you should still make smart choices about your purchase. Some vehicles may seem like an incredible deal, but oftentimes there’s a catch—such as no car title. You should never buy a vehicle if the seller does not possess the title. This could be a sign that the car was stolen, badly damaged or even declared a total loss.

To make sure you don’t get stuck with a lemon, you should consider requesting a CARFAX Vehicle History Report on the vehicle. These handy reports include an abundance of valuable information, such as title information, flood damage history, lemon history, odometer readings, lien activity, vehicle use and total loss history. After reviewing the report, you may discover that the vehicle you’re considering isn’t worth the expense—even if it does seem like a bargain.

Tailgating vehicle alternatives

While RV’s are always a popular choice for many tailgaters, some fans opt for another type of large tailgating vehicle, like a school or church bus. While these giant vehicles are a great way to transport all your friends, family and supplies to the game, there are a few things you should know before purchasing one.

First and foremost, you’ll have to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License with your local DMV office if you want to buy and drive a bus. (Nothing more than a normal driver’s license is required to drive an RV.) You should also contact the manufacturer of your bus or other large vehicle and find out how many people can safely fit in the vehicle.

Additionally, take your bus or other tailgating vehicle to professional who can ensure that all the seat belts, the air brake system, airbags and tires are in proper working condition. This will ensure that your friends, family members and any other passengers make it to the game safely.

Play it safe

Although tailgating is all about having fun, you’ll want to take a few precautions to make sure you and your guests are completely safe throughout the event. In particular, you should be extremely cautious when it comes to transporting your tailgating equipment to and from the game.

If you plan to tow items behind your vehicle, make sure that the weight is distributed evenly throughout your trailer. Secure or tie down all of the cargo to ensure that nothing falls out of the trailer during the trip. Make sure that all of your trailer’s tires are the same size and type, and check the pressure on each tire before your trip. Also ensure that your trailer brake lights are functioning properly.

Each state has different towing laws, so be sure to check with your DMV about the requirements in your area. You may need to obtain a special permit or license depending on the size and weight of your trailer. Additionally, you should call your insurance company to make sure you have enough coverage for your trailer and any expensive tailgating equipment you are towing.

Of course, you should also take measures to make sure everyone is safe during the actual tailgating event. Be sure to pack a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and plenty of water in your tailgating vehicle. If you plan to serve alcohol to friends during the tailgating event, make sure that no one tries to drive home if they’ve had too much to drink. Call a cab or ask another friend to drive them home.

Get it insured

With countless vehicles coming and going from a big sporting event, accidents are bound to happen. That’s why it’s so important to insure your tailgating vehicle. Even though you may drive your tailgating vehicle just a few times a year, comprehensive auto insurance is well worth the cost. If your vehicle is severely damaged or totaled, insurance coverage could prove to be priceless.

What Coverage Do You Get under a Contractor’s Equipment Policy?

Posted on by shasha insurance

Contractor’s equipment insurance is an essential part of any construction firm’s insurance program. Commercial property insurance covers a business’s personal property while it is at a location listed on the policy, but it does not cover property that moves among different locations. Business automobile insurance does insure property that moves around, but it does not cover “mobile equipment” — property such as bulldozers, loaders, digging equipment, and power tools that the business uses off its own premises. Power tools may cost only a few hundred dollars, but large pieces like backhoes and excavators may be worth tens of thousands of dollars. To properly insure such property, the firm needs contractor’s equipment insurance.

A typical contractor’s equipment policy will cover the insured’s owned pieces of equipment listed on its declarations page or a separate schedule. It will also cover equipment that someone else owns and that is in the insured’s care, custody or control. For example, the policy will cover a loader that the insured borrows from another contractor on a job site or that it rents from an equipment dealer. It may also provide one amount of insurance to cover a group of less expensive items, such as power hand tools. For example, it might provide $10,000 coverage on tools but no more than $500 for any one item. It will not cover automobiles, trucks, aircraft, watercraft, contraband, and it may not cover equipment the insured uses in underground mining operations or equipment rented or loaned to others.

The policy will cover equipment for a variety of losses, including fire, explosion, vandalism, theft, collision with other equipment or objects, and overturning. Unlike standard property insurance policies, contractor’s equipment insurance often covers losses caused by floods and earthquakes.

Insurance companies usually offer several coverage options, such as:

  • Rental reimbursement coverage, which covers the cost of renting a temporary substitute when a covered cause of loss damages an insured item.
  • Reimbursement of income the insured loses when it cannot complete a project because a covered cause of loss has damaged an insured item.
  • Blanket coverage, which insures all covered equipment under one large amount of insurance instead of insuring each item under its own individual amount.

To purchase the proper amount of insurance, the firm must determine the values of each piece of equipment. A typical policy covers equipment for its “actual cash value,” which is the difference between the cost of replacing the equipment and the amount by which it has depreciated. Published equipment pricing guides, advertisements in trade magazines, and local equipment dealers are good sources of information on equipment values.

In addition to the other options available, an insured must consider factors such as:

  • Whether to pay extra to insure the equipment for its replacement cost without depreciation. This may depend on both the firm’s budget and the ease with which the firm can obtain used equipment should it need to.
  • Whether the policy has a coinsurance clause, which penalizes the insured if coverage on the damaged item is less than its value at the time of the loss. Some companies may offer “agreed value” coverage, which eliminates the coinsurance clause and requires coverage up to some agreed amount.
  • Whether to buy a higher deductible to decrease the premium.

Contractor’s equipment insurance is not just for contractors; municipal governments and any other organization that uses this type of equipment need it as well. A consultation with a professional insurance agent will reveal the organization’s coverage needs and the appropriate insurance companies to meet them. Because the equipment is so expensive, the buying decision should be based on coverage and a company’s reputation, not just the premium.

Don’t Become a Victim of Identity Theft

Posted on by shasha insurance

The fastest growing financial crime in America today without question is identity theft. In their most recently yearly study, Javelin Strategy and Research Center estimated that almost 10 million people were victims of identity theft in 2008, a 22% increase over 2007.

So how can you protect yourself? The first step in avoiding this unsettling crime is to gain an understanding of identity theft.  But it is also very important to put protective measures in place, just in case you become a victim.

When an individual wrongfully acquires another person’s private information, and fraudulently uses the information for economic gain at the victim’s expense, a case of identity theft occurs.  An identity thief searches for personal data such as bank account information, social security numbers, or credit card data. The thief uses the information to deplete bank accounts, obtain bank loans, or make thousands of dollars of charges on a victim’s credit card.  The result can be that victims are left with significant debt, blemished reputations, and scarred credit histories for many years to come.

To avoid this pain, first and foremost use good common sense. Guard all of your personal information, including bank and credit card account numbers and your social security number. Never leave bank deposit tickets lying around for someone else to find.  Shred credit card receipts and applications before throwing them away.  Protect your driver’s license, and don’t make obvious choices when setting up account PINs and ID numbers.

As an added safeguard, you may want to consider the possibility of setting up identity theft insurance coverage. If you do become a victim of this insidious crime, this coverage reimburses you for costs incurred to restore your identity and repair your personal credit report.  Evaluate your homeowner’s insurance policy, as some insurance companies include identity theft protection in your policy. Other insurance companies sell identity theft coverage as an endorsement to homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies, or may even market the protection as a stand-alone policy.

If you do become a victim of identity theft, call the bank, credit card company, or agency that is affected by the questionable transaction as soon as possible.  Make certain they are aware of exactly what is going on, and that they have taken steps to prevent any further unwanted transactions. Finally, report the crime to the appropriate authorities, and file a report with the local police department and the Federal Trade Commission.  A copy of the police report will be necessary to file the claim under your insurance policy for both reimbursement of funds and credit repair.

What is the Difference Between Occurrence vs. Claims Made Forms?

Posted on by shasha insurance

All the property and casualty insurance policies you buy fall into one of two categories – “occurrence” or “claims-made.”   This distinction may impact drastically on:

1.      Whether or not your policy will respond to a claim;

2.      What your responsibilities will be in the event of a claim;

3.      How much your policy will cost up front and in subsequent years, and;

4.      How much it will cost to keep the coverage in effect, in the event of cancellation.

With all this riding on the type of coverage form you purchase; it helps to understand the pros and cons of each so that you can make an informed decision if options are available.

“Occurrence” form coverage is the simpler of the two.  Most property and casualty insurance policies fall into this category.  Quite simply, “occurrence” form coverage means that the policy responds to events that occur during the policy period regardless of when the claim is made.  Once the policy period is over, the policy will respond to covered claims, even if the claim is made many years after the triggering event (accident, wrongful act, injury, etc.). 

The far more complex “claims-made” coverage form responds only to claims that are made during the policy period, though the triggering event may occur prior to the policy period if there is a “retroactive date” on the policy.   The key to “claims-made” policies is maintaining continuous coverage.  Without “continuity,” insurers will not give you that all important retroactive coverage.

“Claims-made” coverage came into vogue in the sixties and seventies as professional liability policies gained a foothold and underwriters sought to contain the volatile nature of the “tail.”  In property and casualty insurance lingo the “tail” refers both to the optional coverage that may be purchased to extend the policy for reporting purposes, and to the typical length of time between the triggering event and the claim.   Asbestosis, which often takes years to develop, is considered a “long tail” exposure.  Libel and slander lawsuits, on the other hand, usually occur right after the triggering event, i.e., libelous newspaper article or news broadcast.

“Claims-made” policies are becoming more popular in commercial lines because soon after the policy year is over, actuaries will have a pretty good idea of how many more claims might be reported.  Subsequent claims, even if the triggering event occurred during that earlier policy period, will be charged to the later policy period when the claim is made.  The ability to “close out” policy years quickly, is a palpable benefit to insurers of the “claims-made” form.

How do you identify “claims-made” or “occurrence” policies?  “Claims-made” policies are easier to identify because they will typically advise you in the declarations or the first page of the policy:  “THIS IS A CLAIMS-MADE POLICY.”  Additionally, you can search for Extended Reporting Period, aka “tail” option, provisions in the form.  A space for “retroactive date” on the declarations page is another telltale sign of “claims-made.”

“Occurrence” policies are more difficult to spot.  While some policies might herald the occurrence nature of the form, in other cases it will be the lack of “claims-made” language and provisions that will provide the clues.

While “claims-made” might seem more onerous than “occurrence,” for the buyer there are some benefits that warrant mentioning.  First and foremost, there is the pricing issue.  The first year of “claims-made” coverage should typically cost somewhere between 40 and 85% of an “occurrence” policy.  The price automatically increases in subsequent years as the “claims-made” exposure increases.  Usually, after three to five years, a “claims-made” policy is thought to be roughly equivalent to an “occurrence” policy and should cost about the same.  In addition to the cost savings enjoyed early in the early years of coverage, in a competitive marketplace insureds can benefit as underwriters discount the step factors that bring up the price.  Also, although Extended Reporting Period options can be quite costly, it is rare that an insured will need to exercise such an option unless they retire or are unable to find retroactive coverage from another carrier.  Still, it’s a good idea to compare Extended Reporting Period options if you are presented with quotes from different carriers.  How long are the “tail” options and how expensive? 

While “claims-made” coverage can be confusing, it’s clear this coverage form is here to stay as the preferred choice for insurers across an increasingly broad array of product lines.  So get used to the concept now and be prepared to explore all the options carefully.

Head Restraints Found Inadequate in SUVs

Posted on by shasha insurance

With rear end collisions, there is always the possibility of the victims suffering from whiplash. That’s why head restraints are so important to your safety provided they function properly.

Although the primary purpose of a head restraint is to prevent injury to your neck during a rear end crash, there are significant differences in the way head restraints are made. Some are adjustable, while others remain in a fixed position. Some adjustable restraints can be locked into position, but others are not manufactured to lock. There are also variations in height as well as the distance from the back of a person’s head.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted a study of the seat/head restraint combinations in 44 current model SUVs. Only six of the models tested received a passing rating for protection against whiplash injuries in rear end crashes.

According to the study, if a seat/head restraint is well designed, it should keep the head and torso moving together during a rear end collision. When a car is struck in the rear, the seats push the occupants’ torsos forward. If the occupants’ heads are not supported properly, they will remain behind as the torso moves forward. This difference in motion between the two body parts results in the neck being snapped back. The faster the torso moves, the more sudden the movement, and the greater the forces exerted on the neck, which makes the possibility of whiplash more likely.

A head restraint needs to extend at least as high as the center of gravity of the tallest occupant’s head. A restraint should be located close to the back of an occupant’s head so it can provide support at the point of impact.

The Institute evaluated the seat/head restraints with a two-part test. First, the restraint geometry was measured to determine its height and distance from the head of an average-size man. Seats/head restraint combinations that flunked the geometry test were immediately given a poor rating because they cannot provide protection for enough different body types in rear-end crashes.  If the seat/head restraint combination was rated either good or acceptable for its geometry, it was then tested to see how it performed while in motion. The testers used a movable platform and a dummy to measure forces on the neck. This test, known as a sled test, simulates a collision in which a non-moving vehicle is struck in the rear end by a vehicle of the same weight traveling at 20 mph.

In general, the researchers found that four out of five SUV seat/head restraint combinations tested were marginal or poor in terms of whiplash protection. This was the first time the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had tested SUV seats using a dummy to measure forces exerted on the neck during a rear-end crash.

The SUVs whose seat/head restraint combinations received an overall good rating were the Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover LR3, Subaru Forester, and Volvo XC90.  SUVs with poor ratings included such popular models as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, and Toyota 4Runner.

Drivers Aren’t Using Turn Signals According to Survey

Posted on by shasha insurance

We all remember the experience of first learning to drive. You couldn’t wait to get on the road, so you quickly learned the driving rules to show your parents you were prepared to take your driving test. When the day of your road test finally arrived, you dutifully went through the prescribed paces, making sure to use turn signals so the test administrator would evaluate you as a safe, reliable driver. But when a driver’s license was placed in your eager hands that seemed to be the end of any need for turn signals. Or so says a survey conducted in August 2005 by Response Insurance, a national car insurer.

According to the National Driving Habits Survey, fifty-seven percent of American drivers admit they don’t use turn signals when changing lanes. The numbers revealed men as the main culprits: sixty-two percent of men don’t use signals when changing lanes, while only fifty-three percent of the women who responded admitted the same. Drivers in the 18 to 24 demographic lead the pack with seventy-one percent failing to signal. Only forty-nine percent of drivers in the 55 to 64 age group admitted to this behavior.

Despite their shared behavior, respondents admitting to non-use of turn signals often shared different reasons for this pattern. The researchers categorized drivers into groups based on their rationale for ignoring the use of signals:

·   Impulsive: At forty-two percent, this category represented the largest group of guilty drivers. Their reason for ignoring the use of signals is a whimsical approach to lane changing, doing so whenever the mood strikes them. They feel they don’t have enough time to both predict and then signal their impending lane change.

·   Lazy: Accounting for twenty-three percent of non-signaling drivers, this group couldn’t offer any reason other than honest laziness for failing to signal a lane change.

·   Forgetful: Seventeen percent of respondents fit this description; these drivers said they don’t use a turn signal because they forget to turn it off after the lane change.

·   Swervers: The zigzagging twelve percent in this category admitted they spend their time on the road constantly changing lanes. Their lane changes are so frequent, they felt they would be continually turning signals on and off.

·   Ostriches: The eleven percent in this group believe signaling is simply not an important act when changing lanes.

·   Followers: This category had eight percent of the guilty respondents; they believe when other drivers don’t signal, they shouldn’t have to either.

·   Dare Devils: The smallest number of drivers fell into this category. Seven percent of those who don’t signal said this style of driving adds excitement to driving.

Third Party Coverage Is a Key Coverage of Employment Practices Liability Insurance

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The purpose of third-party coverage in an Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) policy is to protect an organization and its employees from accusations of wrongful acts committed against customers, clients, vendors, and suppliers. Some EPLI policies also cover wrongful acts committed by third parties against the insured’s employees.

Harassment and all forms of discrimination are covered under wrongful acts. Discrimination claims include discriminatory practices against a person based on their race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, pregnancy or sexual orientation. Harassment involves unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors. Both verbal and physical conduct, as well as other forms of harassment that create a hostile or offensive work environment, are covered. Some policies also cover accusations of mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation and assault.

If your organization has a lot of interaction with the public, it is especially vulnerable to third-party claims like those described above. In some cases, EPLI carriers may not provide third-party coverage to firms with a high potential for claims. What they might offer instead is limited coverage, such as covering accusations of discrimination, but not harassment claims.

To protect your organization from third-party claims, you need to go beyond just purchasing coverage. You must implement policies and procedures that address discrimination and harassment issues, both from the standpoint of an employee’s actions and the actions of third parties. EPLI insurers are increasingly requiring employers to implement these practices before they will issue a policy.

Having policies in place will offer little help to stop third-party claims if employees aren’t adequately trained. New employee orientation programs should include a presentation outlining the organization’s harassment/discrimination policies. The training must also include how to report and handle a third-party claim. However, hearing the information once is not enough to insure compliance. Employees must be periodically retrained through departmental meetings. To maintain the effectiveness of departmental training sessions, be sure that supervisors are provided with copies of all policy updates and procedural changes.

One important caveat to keep in mind is that most EPLI policies don’t provide third-party coverage for accusations involving the violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nevertheless, you should review your EPLI policy’s definition of a claim to determine the policy’s interpretation. Many policies define a claim as a “demand for monetary damages.” This definition can present a problem in an ADA claim, because many of these claims are asking for reasonable accommodations, not monetary awards. That’s why it is important to ensure that your policy’s definition of a claim includes claims for non-monetary damages. A policy with this expanded definition will cover defense costs and indemnity connected with an ADA claim, but will not provide the funds to bring your organization into compliance with the provisions of the law.

Fire Insurance Coverage: Know What You Have and Understand How it Works

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The extensive and costly damage caused by California wildfires over the last couple of years should serve as a reminder on why it’s vital to both know how you should proceed after finding yourself victim to a large-scale fire, and fully understand your fire insurance coverage before you need to call upon it.

Once the immediate danger of a fire is over, you will need to assess the situation and the resulting ramifications. If you find that the disaster has created large-scale destruction, then just the number of people impacted and the vastness of the destruction itself will most likely impact the cost and tempo of your rebuild. For example, available building materials will be depleted quickly and additional materials will be in high demand. Likewise, contractors will be available in limited numbers and be in high demand. The result – premium prices for supplies and contractors.

Given the above circumstances, it’s necessary for you to insist your insurance adjuster and contractor work together and reach an agreed price for your reconstruction. You might ask both parties to meet with you simultaneously at your home during the cost estimate of the reconstruction.

In addition to knowing how to proceed after a disaster, you also need to fully understand your insurance coverage. Do you know how much of the damage your insurance would cover?

If you opted to insure your home for 100% of its estimated replacement cost when you purchased your policy, then it should pay the cost to rebuild up to that estimated replacement cost. You can add at least an additional 25% if you opted for an extended replacement cost endorsement in your policy. Furthermore, a supplemental building ordinance endorsement in your policy will cover between 10% and 100% of the cost to bring your home up to code if there have been any new or changed construction codes since it was first constructed.

You will need to make an inventory of your home’s contents that were destroyed in the fire to receive compensation from your insurer. To make the settlement process go quickly and smoothly, make sure to provide the description; total cost of replacement, including sales tax; life expectancy; and age of each item. Don’t forget to verify the replacement cost by including the retailer’s name and phone number and salesperson’s name -or- the web addresses for any prices you obtained online. The average percentage of depreciation can be figured by dividing the age of the item by its average life expectancy. You will be paid the withheld depreciation difference on your destroyed items when you replace them with comparables if your policy only covers replacement value.

Additional living expenses, such as rent or a comparable furnished living area, may also be paid under your policy. Of course, this will be minus those expenses, such as mortgage payments and utilities, not directly resulting from your home having been destroyed. Coverage is usually a maximum of 20% of your home’s insurance limit and will generally continue for 12 months or less. Even if your home isn’t damaged, your living expenses may still be covered if your home is uninhabitable by government order. This coverage will end when the government allows you to return to your home.

The right coverage can ease some of the trauma a fire disaster causes to your life. However, you must know what you have and how it works to determine if you have the right insurance coverage in place to met your needs.

Indoor Air Quality: It’s Hard to Believe What We Breathe

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Since the early 1970’s and the development of buildings that were sealed tight to save energy costs, indoor air quality has become an important concern.  The absence of fresh air and the regurgitation of stale air throughout massive office complexes have generated millions of headaches and more serious concerns.

Poor air quality doesn’t just come from the lack of fresh air.  There are many volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde in constant use in these buildings.  The major sources of formaldehyde are likely to be particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood in furniture and paneling in addition to carpeting and glues.

Other dangerous chemical compounds are released from everyday office items like furniture, paint, adhesives, solvents, upholstery, draperies, carpeting, spray cans, clothing, construction materials, cleaning compounds, deodorizers, copy machine toners, felt-tip markers and pens, and correction fluids.

Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi are present in the air almost everywhere and may also cause office air pollution.  Fungi and bacteria find nourishment in inadequately maintained humidification and air-circulation systems, and in dirty washrooms.  In 16 major studies, at least 281 cases of illness were traced to humidifier systems, circulation vacuum pumps, blowers, ventilation and duct work, and air filters.

Another known cause of office pollution is asbestos and asbestos products that number in the thousands.  Office buildings are likely to have them in ceiling and floor tiles, and acoustic and thermo insulation.  A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study of ten cities found that almost twenty percent of office buildings contained asbestos in an easily crumbled, more dangerous state.

Unless you work in a sterile office environment with no carpets, drapes or furniture, there is no avoiding a risk to your breathing system.  But there are at least some steps that you can undertake to make your building and workplace safer.

  1. Eliminate Tobacco:  A firm no-smoking policy is the best way to protect the health of all employees.  If that is not currently feasible, smoking should be allowed only in a well-ventilated area reserved exclusively for that purpose, where no non-smoker is required to enter or pass through.

2.      Provide Adequate Ventilation:  Guidelines for office buildings set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers require circulation of a minimum of 140 liters of outside air per minute per person.  Relative humidity should be kept between thirty and sixty percent.

3.      Practice Regular Maintenance:  Clean and disinfect ventilating, heating, or cooling devices and systems, including humidifiers and dehumidifiers, air filters and air circulation pumps and blowers.

For the health of all of employees, remember to pay heed to indoor air quality.   We are what we breathe.