Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023
45. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure, as per the Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) Bill 2021, that the ‘right to clean air’ is provided to hospital and healthcare staff by imposing minimum ventilation standards in workplaces based around CO2 levels, ensuring all improvements needed are made urgently (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18356/23]
View answerFollowing the introduction of the Private Members Bill on Workplace Ventilation, which was not opposed by the Government, the Health and Safety Authority was asked to formally review the existing provisions on workplace ventilation and to determine what further enhanced measures could be considered. Following this review, it was decided to update the existing Regulations and to introduce a robust Code of Practice on ventilation in the workplace.
The Health and Safety Authority, following a period of public consultation, is finalising the Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality and I expect that it will be submitted to me for consent to publish in the next few weeks. Regulations to give legal effect to the Code of Practice will be introduced at the same time.
Contributing factors to poor indoor air quality include poor external air quality, inadequate or poor ventilation and exposure to a range of chemicals, biological agents and other contaminants in the workplace air. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems.
The Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality will set out the optimum standards for indoor air quality along with detailed practical guidance for employers and employees. The Code of Practice will be relevant to all employers and to all places of work.
A Code of Practice is an established compliance mechanism and can be used in legal proceedings.
I would add that the existing 2007 General Application Regulations create a requirement on employers to make sure that there is an adequate supply of ventilation in the workplace and that the evaluation of ventilation forms part of an overall workplace risk assessment. Therefore, any worker who is concerned about appropriate levels of ventilation in their workplace should contact the HSA for advice on the matter.
