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Publication - Advice and guidance

Respiratory infections including Coronavirus (COVID-19): ventilation in the workplace

Last updated
12 September 2023 - see all updates
Topic
Building, planning and design, Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland, +2 more … Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies

Guidance for employers on improving ventilation and the the supply of fresh air into the workplace.

Risk-controlled approach to ventilation

It is recommended that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for each indoor environment. Organisations should take account of the risks within their specific settings when considering which measures are most appropriate.

The provision of fresh air should be considered as part of a hierarchy of risk controls aimed at reducing the risks of transmission of respiratory infections including COVID-19. These include:

  • effective fresh air ventilation, working alongside other protective measures including enhanced hygiene regimes and giving more space and care around those using the Distance Aware scheme (wearing a badge or lanyard)
  • restricting or reducing duration of activities indoors
  • room layout
  • using rooms with good ventilation and avoiding the use of those without
  • factoring in the possible use of suitable air cleaning and purifying devices to enhance indoor air quality. Although these units are not a substitute for fresh air ventilation - read more about air cleaning technologies

Contact

Email: covid-19.policy@gov.scot

First published
18 December 2020
Last updated
12 September 2023 - show all updates

  1. Updates to title and throughout.

  2. Update to mechanical ventilation.

  3. Updated links to Health and Safety Executive website on 'Natural ventilation' and 'Overview'.

  4. Updates to Mechanical ventilation and Air cleaning technology.

  5. Taken out of archive and updated.

  6. Updated to reflect current situation

  7. Updated to reflect current situation.

  8. Updated to reflect current situation.

  9. A few amends to reflect impact/reccomendations due to Omicron variant

  10. Minor update to amend link in overview.

  11. Poster summarising good ventilation advice added.

  12. Updated guide to include need for winter vigilance and information about ventilation fund for SMEs.

  13. guidance updated to reflect current position.

  14. Reviewed by policy team and still current.

  15. Revised the layout and text to make it clearer.

  16. First published: December 18, 2020 at 1:08 PM.

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