Fighting Allergies In The Workplace

Most people are concerned about allergies during certain times of the year, like the spring or fall. However, there are many different situations and scenarios year-round that can lead to more allergens in your workplace. Even if this isn’t a seriously threatening health issue, no one feels comfortable or productive when it comes to grappling with allergies at work, or anywhere else. Here are some things that you can do in order to try and handle this issue.

One of the first things to start with is making sure you know every potential allergen that can impact your employees. Many people just assume that if they don’t have to deal with pollen, that they’re good. However, any of the following can trigger an allergic reaction:

1. Animal fur and debris
2. Certain foods, even proximity to foods in some cases.
3. Industrial chemicals, including as solvents, bleaches, and adhesives
4. Latex
5. Perfumes and other odorants
6. Pollen, dust, and molds
7. Wood dust/resins

This can be difficult to handle for a number of reasons. For one, you may not even know if some of these are present, like some of the chemicals. In addition, not everyone automatically knows what they are allergic to. This may mean a bit of trial and error if someone is dealing with symptoms and doesn’t know why. This is why one of the best things you can do as an employer is to encourage your employees to be proactive when it comes to medical treatment. Many people push through their allergies rather than getting help, and this only makes things more difficult for anyone.

Also, look for the avoidable allergen-creating situations in the workplace so you can be proactive. For example, some people are allergic to mold, which can grow in situations where there is water damage. Acting quickly means stopping the issue before it happens. HEPA air filters are another thing worth considering investing in.

If you’re the person with allergies, you can also do a few personal things to try and make things easier for yourself. For example, a lot of people take antihistamine medication, which can be effective, but also commonly makes people drowsy. You may want to look for alternatives with a doctor’s guidance. Another good idea is keeping track of dust mites. These are a common allergen at home, but often get carried to work on people’s clothes or other personal items. Cleaning your carpet often at home is a good way to catch them. At work, dusting with a microfiber cloth or wet rag can make an impact.

All of these different tactics to do a lot to make your workplace a better environment for those with allergies, making for more productivity and comfort for everyone. However, it can be difficult to keep this up day in and day out, especially if you are dealing with multiple bathrooms or are in an area with a lot of allergens. It may make sense to enlist an Atlanta cleaning company to ensure that your workplace is consistently allergen-free.