How can you promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace?

Breathing is essential for life, but it is also a source of exposure to various pollutants, allergens, and pathogens that can affect your health and productivity. In the workplace, you may encounter different types of respiratory hazards, such as dust, fumes, smoke, vapors, gases, or biological agents. These can cause irritation, inflammation, infection, or chronic diseases in your lungs and other organs. Therefore, it is important to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace, both for yourself and your co-workers. Here are some tips on how to do that.

1 Assess the risks

The first step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to identify and evaluate the potential sources of respiratory hazards in your work environment. You can use tools such as checklists, inspections, audits, or surveys to collect information about the types, levels, and frequency of exposure to harmful substances or agents. You can also consult with your employer, health and safety committee, or occupational health specialist to get guidance on how to assess the risks and comply with the relevant regulations and standards.

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Mike Allocco, Emeritus Fellow ISSS

System Safety Engineering and Management of Complex Systems; Risk Management Advisor...Complex System Risks
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You may want to define the risks first? And engineer out risks? Define the system in detail and decompose your system into parts, diagrams, flows, operations, tasks, procedures, links, technology, interfaces and interactions; Figure out how to conduct inclusive system hazard, threat, vulnerability analysis and risk assessment; (many papers are accessible via LinkedIn); Perturb the system and identify system hazards, threats, vulnerabilities, develop adverse sequences, (including actions, decisions, inactions); Define risk criteria and identify current risks given minimal controls; Design controls to eliminate or control risks to acceptable levels...

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2 Control the hazards

The second step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to implement measures to control or eliminate the respiratory hazards as much as possible. You can use the hierarchy of controls, a system that ranks the effectiveness of different interventions from most to least preferred. Eliminating the source of the hazard completely is the most preferred option, followed by substitution, engineering, administrative, and finally personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, you could replace a hazardous substance with a less harmful one, design or modify work processes or equipment to reduce exposure, establish policies and procedures to limit exposure, or wear masks, respirators, goggles, or gloves for protection.

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Mike Allocco, Emeritus Fellow ISSS

System Safety Engineering and Management of Complex Systems; Risk Management Advisor...Complex System Risks
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The output of analyses above are both engineering and administrative controls: also proactive performance indicators; Monitor the system and continue to validate and verify all controls, update analyses and reports addressing system dynamics, changes, modifications, updates; Continually rank risks given risk criteria and allocate resources from high to lower risk via multi variant utility analysis. Hence a risk-based system.

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3 Practice good hygiene

The third step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to practice good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of germs and infections. This can be done by washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, disposing of used tissues in a bin and cleaning your hands afterwards, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, staying home if you are sick or have symptoms of respiratory illness, and getting vaccinated against seasonal flu or other diseases that can affect your lungs.

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4 Monitor your health

The fourth step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to monitor your health and seek medical attention if you experience any signs or symptoms of respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, coughing, fever, or changes in your sense of smell or taste. Additionally, if you suspect that your respiratory condition is related to your work exposure, you should inform your employer, supervisor, or health and safety representative. They can help you with reporting, compensation, or accommodation issues.

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5 Improve your lifestyle

The fifth step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to improve your lifestyle choices that can affect your lung health. This includes quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke, eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants, drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush out toxins, exercising regularly to strengthen your lungs and cardiovascular system, managing stress levels and practicing relaxation techniques, as well as getting enough sleep and rest to boost your immune system.

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6 Educate yourself and others

The sixth and final step to promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace is to educate yourself and others about the importance and benefits of respiratory health and safety. To do this, you can read, watch, or listen to reliable sources of information about respiratory hazards, diseases, and prevention. You can also participate in training, workshops, or campaigns that raise awareness and skills on respiratory health and safety. Additionally, you can share your knowledge, experience, or tips with your co-workers, family, or friends. Furthermore, you can support or join organizations or initiatives that advocate for respiratory health and safety.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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David Brygider, MS

AVP at Cranemasters | Operational Risk Management | Environmental Health and Safety Expertise
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Ensure that the workplace has good ventilation. Minimize exposure to dust, fumes, and harmful chemicals by using appropriate ventilation systems and ensuring proper storage and handling of hazardous materials. Implement a no-smoking policy. Conduct training sessions or workshops on respiratory health, highlighting the importance of breathing clean air and how to protect respiratory health. Encourage activities that support lung health, like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking. Consider organizing fitness programs. Offer regular health screenings for employees, including lung function tests. Regularly monitor the air quality in the workplace and take corrective actions if there are issues with pollutants.

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How can you promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess the risks

2 Control the hazards

3 Practice good hygiene

4 Monitor your health

5 Improve your lifestyle

6 Educate yourself and others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Safety

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How can you promote healthy breathing habits in the workplace?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess the risks

2 Control the hazards

3 Practice good hygiene

4 Monitor your health

5 Improve your lifestyle

6 Educate yourself and others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Safety

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