COP on Indoor Air Quality

8/16/2019 COP on Indoor Air Quality

1/24

. .

ISBN. .

, .

,

, ~ . .1 : : . : . ,

. .. . I

. . . . . .

JKE P

, ,

, . ,, ., .. , :; , ;, ,*.

- I

:......:.........


2/24

I CONTENTS

PREFACE

1. INTRODUCTION

1 . 1 Purpose1 2 Scope and Application1 3 Detinitions

2. ASSESS-MENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY

2.1 Duty to Conduct Assessment

3. CONTROL OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY

3.1 Duty to Control Exposure

4. CO'MPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

4.1 Complaints Procedure

4.2 Actionso

Complaints

5. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING

5.1 Duty of Employer

6. RECORDKEEPING

6.1 Keeping of Records

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Appendix 2: Assessment of Indoor Air QualityAppendix3: Registration as Indoor Air Quality ssessoAppendix4: Changes Affecting Assessment ValidityAppendix 5: Complaints ProceduresAppendix6: Records To Be Kept


3/24

DOSH Malaysia Ministry of Human Resource

PREFACE

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is required for a healthy indoor w o r k environment.Poor indoor air quality can cause a varietyofshort-term and long-term health problems.Health problems commonly associated with poor IAQ include allergic reactions,

respiratory problems, eye irritation, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

IAQ problems occur in buildings that are served by a c o m m o n ventilation and/or a irconditioning system. IAQ problems can be due to indoor air pollutants or to inadequateventilation.

There are many sources of indoor air pollutants and among the c o m m o n ones are -environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) emitted due to burning of tobacco products;various c he m ical substances such as formaldehyde emitted from furnishings; volatile

organic compound; emitted from the use and application of solvents; and ozoneemitted from photocopiers and laser printers. I t should be noted here that ETS hasbeen recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Researchon Cancer (IARC) in 2002 and exposure to it w i l l increase the risk of coronary heartdisease.

Thi s codeof practice has been drawn up to ensure that employees and other occupantsare protected from poor indoor air quality that could adversely affect their health and

well being, and thereby reduce their prodrrctivity

Employers a re encouraged to use this code of practice as a guide to comply with thegeneral duties of employers prescribed under section 5of the Occupational Safetyand Health Act 1994 (Act 514). Even though compliance with this code is notmandatory at the moment, it can be used as evidence of good practice in a court ofIaw.

Minister of Hum a n R e sourc e sMalaysia

July 2005

Code of ractice on h d u w r uality


4/24


1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of th i s Code of Practice is to set minimum standard s that will protectthe health of e n ~ p l o y e e sand other occupants of an indoor or enclosed environmentserved b y a com mo n mechanical ventilation and/or air condition ing system.

1 2 SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This Code of Practice wi l l apply to all non industrial places of work in industrieslisted under Schedule 1 of th e Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 5 14 .This Code

-

i) Establishes a set of maximum exposure limits for fivec o ~ n m o n l yencounteredindoor air contqtninants of chemical origin;

ii) Describes a mechani sm to identify, evaluate and control these i ndoor ai rcon tam inants;

i i i Specifies oth er appropriate occupational safety and health measures; and

iv) Does not apply to indoor air contaminants of biological origin such as mites,

viruses and spores.

Appendix 1 gives further information on issuesof indoor air quality and the commo nadverse effects associated with exposure to the five contaminants especially in indooror enclosed working environment that is served by a commo n mechanical ventilatingand/or air condi t ioning system.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

bar

means a coun ter in a public building, restaurant or cafe in which alcohol orrefreshment is served;

"cafeteria"means a restaurant wher e a person chooses and pay s for his meal at acounter and carry i t to a table;

''ceiling limit'' mean s th e airborne concentration of a contain inant that is not to beexceeded at any t ime durin g the work shift;.


5/24

DOSI-I Malaysia Ministry of Human Resource

''commercia1 establishment"means any physical facility where the buying andselling of goods and services is carried out;

"discotheque"means a club etc f b r dancing t o music;

"educational facilities and training facilities"means any enclosed facility designed

to provide education and training throughinformation or instruction or practical

training including, but not limited to a school, institution, college, polytechnic,university, training centre a nd function or seminar rooms offered by establishment;

CCenvir~nmenta ltobacco smoke"means substances i n the indoor air arising from

tobacco smoke;

CCgamingestablishment"

means a public building or room whe re people playgambling g a m e s for money or risk a sum of money against another's on t he basis ofthe outcome of an unpredictable event:

"health care facilityT' means any hospital, clinic, doctor's office, dentist's offke.

laboratories associated with health care treatment, and other establishments involvedin the provision of health care;

"indoor air quality assessor"means an employee or any person appointed by theemployer and registered with the Director General ofOccupational Safety and Health

to carry out assessnlents of risks to health, and includes an occupational hygienist;

karaoke lounge'' means a public room where people entertain themselves bysinging, using a machine that plays only the music of songs so that people can singthe word

themselves;

Ccnon -industrial lace of work7' means an indoor or enclosed working environmentthat is served by a common mechanical ventilating and/or air conditioning system,where there are persons at work, such as but not limited to

I . offices,educational and training facilities, commercial establishments, and healthcare facilities;

11. cafeterias a n d restaurants;

111 gaming establishment, pubs, bars, karaoke lounges and discotheques;but does not include premises that are used primarily as manufacturing and productionfacilities and vehicles;

normal business activity" means the typical or usual business activity;

L c ~ ~ ~ ~ p a n t ' 'means any person in a place of work, and include an employee client.patient, resident, patron, student, visitor or guest;

Code q Pracfice on rzdoor Air uality


6/24

'Goccupationalhygienist', means a person who possesses a college or universitydegree s) in engineering, che m istry, physics, medicine, o r related physical orbiological sciences who , by virtue of special studies and training, has acquiredcompetence in industrial hygiene.

office7'means a room, set of rooms or building where people work, usually sittingat desks;

"prescribed activities" means any activity that could pose health hazard to the

occupants, including but not limited to:-

(a) applying o r removing floor coverings inc l~ td ingcarpeting, floor tiles andother surfaces;

(b) applying wall coverings;(c) painting or t h e application of similar coatings;(d) cleaning carpets;(e) applying floor f inishing and stripping products;

f) applying qst control products; and(g ) applying caulking, sealing, or glazing compounds;

''pub mean s a building serving alcoholic and other drinks, and often also food tothe customer;

restaurant means any establishment which is primarily devoted to the serving offood t o the public;

'bunacceptable means the concentration of one or more air corltam in ants listed incolumn I ofTable I have exceeded the maximum limits listed in co lumn I of TableI ; or. the safe work procedure for prescribed activities is not established andimplemented; or, there are medical complaints at a point of time from employees oroccupan ts related to th e indoor air quality; or, any o ther situations related to indoorair quality deemed relevant by the indoor air quality assessor.


7/24

DOSH Malaysia Ministry ofHuman Resource

2. ASSESSMENT OFINDOOR AIR QU LITY

2 1 D U T YTO CONDUCT ASSESSMENT

2 1 1 Every en~ployershould assess the risks arising from the indoor airquality at the place of work to the health of his employees.

2.1 2 The assessment should be carried out during normal business activityand must take into consideration the following:

(a) The sources of indoor air contaminants;

(b) Employees' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke;(c) EmployeesTexposure to air contaminants, either from indoor or

outdoor sources;(d) The prescribed activities;(e) The adequacy of mechanical ventilation at the place of work;f)

The necessity to monitor an employee's exposure; andg ) The necessary actions to be taken to improve the indoor air quality

at the place of work.

2.1 3 The assessment carried out under paragraph 2.1.2 must include themeasurement of the indoor air contaminants listed in column I of Table1. Appendix 2 gives f urtherguidanceon indoor air quality assessment.

Code of ractice on frzdoor Air uality


8/24


Table 1:List Of Indoor Air Contaminants and the

Maximum Limits

Indoor Air Contaminants

Eight-hour

time

weighted average

airborne concentration

Carbon dioxideCarbon monoxide

FormaldehydeRespirable particulatesTotal volatile organic compounds

Where:

C i s f h e c e i l i n g l i r n i f

mg m3

s

milligrams per cubic meter ~ f ~ r i rt 5OCelsius and onemosphere pressure

ppm is parts c>f vapour or gm per" mill ion parts o contaminated air byvo

unw

2 1 4

he assessment referred to in paragraph 2 .1 . 1 should be conducted by anindoor air quality assessor

and

the assessment report must be forwarded tothe employer within one month upon completion of the assessment.Appendix3 describes the procedure for registration as an indoor air qualityassessor with the Director General.

2 1

S The assessment of indoor air quality should be repeated whenever there arechanges in the indoor environment. that affects the results of the latestassessment or not more than five years have elapsed since the last assessment.

Appendix 4 describes the c l~ange sthat affect the assessment validity.

Code of Practice O M imioor Air uuliry


9/24


3.CONTROL OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY

3.1 DUTY TOONTROLEXPOSURE

3.1. I An employer should ensure that his employees or any other occupants at theplace of work are not exposed to any of the contaminants listed in Tableexceeding the corresponding maximum limits.

3.1.2 Where the assessment report indicates that t h e indoor air quality is

unacceptable, an employer should initiate to implement any a f t h e followingmeasures within one month after receiving the report: -

(a) elimination o r relocation of the source of the air contaminants, and theappropriate location of the air supply o r exhaust openings of t h emechanical ventilation system;

(b) substitution of the building material or office chemicals with those thatare less l~a rmfu l

(c) improving ventilation;(d) i~ista l la t ionof air cleaning devices;(e) control of exposure to envi ron~nenta ltobacco smoke;(f) administrative controls including work scheduling, provision of

information. instruction and training; establishment of healthy workpractices, procedure or policies; o r

(g) a combination of the above measures.

Code of ractice o ladoor Air Quality


10/24


4.COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Complaints Procedure

An employer should establish a procedure to deal with complaints from

employees and other occupants with signs and sym ptoms related to poorindoor air quality. Appendix 5 gives guidance on the establishment of thecomplaint procedures.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the employer must ensure that an investigationis conducted t o ascertain the cause of the complaint. and a report prepared,without delay.

Actions on Complaints

Where a complaint is received in accordance with the procedures establishedunder paragraph 4.1, the employer should ensure that:

(i) the complaint is communicated to the building owner ; and(ii) i f the complaint is found to be valid, the employer or and owne r should

take action t o address the problem t l~ rough he institution of the control

measures spelled out under paragraph 3.1.

C ode

of Practice u nclroor A r Qualityu


11/24


I 5.INFORMATION,INSTRUCTION ANDTRAINING

Duty ofEmployer

5 1 1 An employer should ensure that all his employees are informed, instructed

and trained on the-

0

(i i

( i i i )

causes of poor indoor air quality a nd the effects to health arising from it;

detr imental ef fects f r o m envi ronmenta l tobacco sm oke an d itscontribution to the overall indoor air quality; a nd

contents of this code of practice, the identification of signs and symptomsassociated with the illnesses commonly associated with poor indoor airquality, and t he identification of poor ventilation conditions a nd si gnsof deteriora tion in the air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation system.

Code of Practice on ndoor Air Quality


12/24


6.RECORDKEEPING

6.1 Keeping ofRecords

6.1. I A records that are generated under this code of practice should be kept fora period of not less than thirty years. Appendix 6 explains the guidance onrecord keeping.

6 1 2

Whenever an employer ceases to carry on business and another personsucceeds him, the employer ceasing business should handover, and thesuccessor employer should retain all records to be maintained under this

code of practice.


13/24

APPENDIX 1: INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

A,1 BACKGROUND

Good indoor air quality is desired for a healthy indoor environment. Poor indoor airquality can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems. Healthproblems commonly associated with poor IAQ include allergic reactions, respiratory

problems, eye irritation, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

IAQ problems arise in non-industrial buildings (an indoor or enclosed work spacethat is served by a common ventilating and/or air conditioning system where thereare person at work, but does not include premises that are used primarily asmanufacturing

and production facilities and vehicles) when there is an inadequate

quantity of ventilation air being provided fo r the amount of air con ta~n inan t spresentin that space. Hence, IAQ and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems

(HVAC) are closely related.

A.2 SOURCES OF POOR LAQ

IAQ problems can be due to indoor air pollutants contaminants or to inadequatepollution controls despite otherwise normal or baseline rates of ventilation. Sourcesof indoor air pollutions are from different origins:

a) the occupants themselves (such as exhaled carbon dioxide gas);

b) inadequate materials or materials with technical defects used in theconstruction of the building;

c) the wor k performed within (such as cleaning of carpet);

d) excessive or improper use of normal products (pesticides. disinfectants,products used for cleaning and polishing);

e) combustion gases (such a s smoking); and

f

cross-contamination coming from other poorly ventilated zones.

A.3 PARAMETERS TO INDICATE JAQ

The parameters to indicate whether an indoor environment is comfortable and healthyor otherwise can be summarised as follows:

a) C h e m i c a I contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds and environmental tobacco smoke

ETS);

b) Physical conditions, such a ir temperature, air velocity and humidity;

c)Biological agents, such as mites, virus, and spores; and

d) Radiation such as radon.

Code q Pructice on ndoor Air ualily


14/24


A.4 HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO POOR IAQ

Th e health effects due to IAQ can be categorized a s follows:

a) Health effkcts due to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) from passives m o k i n g that contains many different types of chemical substances:

b) Sick building syndrome; and

c) Legionella disease.

Health effects of ETS

ETS is defined as substances in indoor air arising from tobacco smoke. Th e mainsource of ETS is cigarette smoking. ETS comprises smok e that i s generated from

the combust ion of cigarette in between puff (main components) and also comprisessmok e that is exhaled out by the smoker. ETS contains more than one thousandchemical substances and more than 20 toxic chemicals an d carcinogens. Chemicals

usually

associated with ETS are 11icot ine, itrosam nes, polyarom atic hydrocarbons

PAHs),

carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, acrolein, formaldehydeand hydrogen cyanide.

The International Agency for Research o Cancer (IARC) had announced in 2002that ETS i s a huma n ca rc inogen and it increases the risk of coronary heart diseases.

Sick-

Building Syndrome

"Sick building syndrome" is the name commonly been for illnesses that occur amongoccupants as a result of poor indoor air quality in building.

Some of these buildings may be inadequately ventilated. For example, mechanicalventilation systems m ay not be designed or operated to provide adequate amountsof outdoor intake air. People generally have less control ove r the indoor environmentin their offices than t hey do in their home. A s a result, there ha s been an increase in

the incidence of reported health problems.

Sometimes building occupants experience symptoms that do not fit the pattern ofany

p a r t i c ~ ~ l a r

illnessa n d are difficult t o trace to any specific source. This

phenomenon has been labeled as sick building syndrome. Sym ptoms that havearisen am ong occupants of"sick building" have varied from eye and n ose irritation,fatigue, cough,

rhinitis,

nausea, headache, sore throat or a coinbination of these.

A number of well-identified illnesses, such as Legionnaires' disease, asthma,hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, h a v e been directly traced to

specific building problems. Thes e are called building-related iIlnesses. Most ofthese diseases can be treated; nevertheless, so me pose serious risks.

Code of rnctice onIndoor Air Qual ify


15/24


Legionnaires' disease

Legionnaires' disease is one of the building-related illnesses. Identification of theexistence of this disease began in 1968 after an epidemic of illness characterized by

fever. headache and muscular pains was found to be associated with the airconditioning system of a health department building in Pontiac, Michigan, USA.

The bacteria that cause Legionnaires7 disease, legionella pneumophila wi l l grow inany environmental reservoir in which its nutrient, water and temperature requirementare met, and enters t he air when such sites are disturbed. Although this organism i subiquitous in the environment, airborne concentrations only occasionally reach levelsadequate to infect otherwise normal subjects.

Water-

cooling towers and warm water systems in buildings have beeni entifie

asmajor sources of this organism. Without treatment of the water or without adequatemaintenance of the system, legionella can proliferate and then be distributedthroughout the building by the air-handling system.

Code of ractice o ndoor AirQualily


16/24

i


APPENDIX 2: ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The purpose of conducting an assessment is to enable decisions to be made onappropriate control measures, the provision of information, and the necessity for air

monitoring as may be required to protect the health of employees and occupantsw h o may be exposed to air contaminants at the place of work.

Objective

lndoor air quality assessnlent is conducted with the foll owing objectives:

a) To i d e n t i e the sources of the air contaminants either within the place ofwork or from the outside air;

b) To evaluate the exposure of the occupants to the air contaminants;c) To evaluate the adequacy of existing control measures;d) To conclude the significanceof the health risk posed by the ai r contaminants;

and

e) To recommend appropriate control measures to prevent or reduce risks.

Factors to be considered in an assessment

These are the factors to be considered in an assessment of indoor ai r quality:

(a) sources of indoor air contaminants, such as f rom furnishings, electricalequipment, etc.

(b) employees expo sure t o environmental tobacco smoke, either directly or

passively;(c) employees expo sure to air contaminants, either from indoor or outdoor

sources;(d) prescribed activities, such as changing of carpets, repainting, etc.;(e) the adequacy of mechanical ventilation at the place o fwork such determining

the air change per hour and the fresh air supply rate, etc.;f) the necessity to monitor employees' exposure on a regular basis; and(g) the necessary actions to be taken to improve indoor air quality at the

workplace.


17/24

DOSH Malavsiainistrv

of Human Resource

Method of Measurement

a. Sample position

The sampling probe should be located between 75 and 120 cm from the floorat the centre of the room or an occupied zone.

b. Number of sampling points

IndoorAt least one sample should be taken from each floor or from each area serviced by

a separate air-handling unit. For large floor spaces, the recommended numbers ofsampling points are as follows:

Area ofbuilding

m2)

3,000 - 4,999

5,000 9,999

1 0,000 - 14,999

15,000-

19,99920.000-

29,999

30,000 or more

Minimum number ofsampling points

Outdoor

At least two samples should be taken at the entrance to the building or at the en-trance of th fresh air intake.

Code of Practice onn oor

A ir Quality


18/24


Equipment to be used

Use direct-reading instruments with accuracy better than i 25%.

For respirable particulates, sampling is carried out using an instrument with a sizeselective device having a median cut size of 4 micrometer

nd

the following pen-etration characteristics:

particle aerodynamic diameter

(micrometer)

respirable particulate mass


19/24


APPENDIX 3: REGISTRATIONAS INDOOR AIR QUALITYASSESSOR

Indoor air quality assessor should register with the Director General of Occupa-tional Safety a nd Health.

Qualifications, experience and training

Those eligible fo r consideration for registration must possess the following qualifi-cations, experience a n d training:

a) A certified occupational hygienist by the American Board of Industrial Hy-

giene;

b) An occupational hygienist who isa full member of the Malaysian Industrial

Hygiene Association (MI HA);c) A registered assessors under the USECK IHRegulations 2000 who has at-

tended training in indoor air quality assessment conducted by NIOSH orMIHA; or

d) A registered hygiene technician I under the USECHH Regulations 2000who has attended training in indoor air quality assessment conducted byNIOSH or MIHA; or

e) A person with at least a Diploma in pure or applied sciences and has 1 yearexperience in measurement of airborne chemical and has attended trainingin indoor air quality assessment conducted by NIOSl I or MIHA.

Registration Procedure

An applicant m u s t apply in writing to be registered with the Director General and h emust f o ~ w a r dtogcthcr the t b l l o w i ~ ~ gitems: -

a) a cert if ied true copy of academic or profession l qualif3cations;

b) a certified Lrue copy of the National Registratian Identity Card (for Malay-

sian citizen) or Passport (f or foreign resident);

c) a certified true copy of work permit issued by the Malaysian Government(only tbr foreign resident);

d) details of working experience in occupational safety an d health includingthe name of supervisor(s) & his qualifications;

e) a certified t rue copy of the certificate of attendance of relevant courses; and

f

a certified true copy of the results of relevant course examination.

ode of Pructice onndoor

Air Quuiify

DOSH M l i Mi i t f H R


20/24


Th e completed application shall be forwarded to: -

Th e Director General

Department of Occupational Safety and Health

Levels 2 3& 4,

BlockD3,

Parcel DFederal Governmen t Administrative Centre,62502 Wilayah Persekutuan Putra Jaya

The prospective applicant may be asked to attend an interview o r present the find-ing of an assessment he had conducted, i f necessary.

Registration Validity

Successful applicants w i l l be registered for a maximum period of three (3) years.

The Director General may, however, prescribe a shorter duration. Notwithstanding,the Director Genera l may revoke the registration of any person before its expirationdate if:

a) his registration was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation; or

b) h e ha s failed to discharge his dirties as an indoor air quality assessor; or

C

he has been convicted of an offence under the Act or any regulations made

there under.

Renewal of Registration

A person apply ing to renew registration with the Director General should: -

a) Show proof that he had been engaged in work activities of an indoor airquality assessor every year; and

b) Have undergone continuing education in the field of occupational safety

and health.

Application for renewal of registration must be made at least three (3) months be-fore the expiration date of the current registration. writing to the Director General.

DOSH M l i Mi i f H R


21/24


APPENDIX 4: CHANGES AFFECTINGASSESSMENT VALIDITY

Th i s refers to permanent changes that affect or may affect the result of an indoor air

quality assessment such as but not limited to the following:

a) New air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation system installed;

b) Walls or ceilings applied with a new coat of paint;

c) Ne w carpet o r new flooring material used;

d) New set of the f~ r rn i sh ingsbeing used;e) Additional photocopiers or laser jet printers being used;f Any additional machines or equipment, that is known to release chemical

subs tances into the indoor air, being used; andUse of air freshners

Code uf raciice on indoor Air Qualily11 1


22/24

DOSHMalaysia Ministry of Human Resource


23/24

DOSHMalaysia Ministry of Human Resource

APPENDIX 6: RECORDS TO BE KEPT

Records to be kept unde r this code include:

Assessment report including the resultsof indoor air contam inant measurement;Complaints a n d investigation reports; andTraining records.

Contents of Reports

Assessment report

Should include t h e following:

potential sources of indoor ai r pollutants;the measurement results for the ,fivecontaminan ts listed in l able ;

the condition o f t h e ventilation system, including the numberof air changesper hour and t he rate of fresh air changes;health complain ts as well as s igns and sympto ms related to indoor air qual-ity problem;the risk situation;recommend ations to improve indoor air quality;recommendations on h ow to maintain good indoor air quali ty in th e event

of carrying out presc.ribed activilies; a ndthe necessity to conduct further indoor air quality measut-emcnts.

omplaints and investigation report

Should includc tll following:a. documentation of the occurrence of signs and symptoms of occupant

discomfort o r damage to health;

b. alleged location of the source:c. date a n d t ime of the complaint;d. the date of investigation and the name of the investigator(s);e. t h e result of the investigation; and

f the action s taken.

Training records

Should include the following:

a) the date of the training sessions and th e na me of the trainer:

b) the content of the training programme; andC

the name and signature of trained employees.

Cod ractice on Indoor A ir ualify


24/24

JAB. KESELAMATAN L KESIH T N

ISBN 983 2014-51-4

COP on Indoor Air Quality

Documents

Transcript of COP on Indoor Air Quality