Gaming & Smoking/Vaping areas

New Safework air quality standards

New air quality standards have been legislated Australia wide. Full compliance date is July 1st 2023. Under this legislation, workers will be able to demand and promptly receive air quality testing in the workplace, with the results published and supplied to them, and to Safework if limits are exceeded. Smoking/gaming areas in hotels and clubs will be a key compliance point for these industries, as they generate high levels of pollutants, which affect both staff and patrons.

Specific limits for a number of common air pollutants have been reduced by 90%. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulphur dioxide, PM10 and PM2.5, and most VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds including PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds). ALL of these are present at high levels in smoking areas, and ozone at higher levels around electronic equipment. 

PM10 and PM2.5 -

small particles which can cause serious lung disease. These include smoke, ash, dust, bacteria, viruses, mould spores, etc. PM10 means particles smaller than 10 microns, and PM2.5 means particles smaller than 2.5 microns. Smaller particles get further into the lungs, and pose a greater threat to health and safety. 

VOCs -

these are carbon based chemical molecules, including many flavour and smell compounds. Pollutant VOCs are toxic and can cause direct harm if ingested. More toxic ones found in cigarette smoke include benzene, cyanide, formaldehyde, toluene, acetone. Others can be chemicals emitted by carpets, plastics, cleaning products, and certainly by vape products. Interaction between these VOCs and other gasses cause reactions that lead to yet more toxic chemicals.

Gasses -

Toxic gasses include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulphur dioxide. All are found in cigarette smoke, and have new very low limits allowed in the workplace. Ozone is also emitted by electronic equipment, including poker machines.

Airocide was developed by NASA to deal with all these pollutants, and biological pollutants, on the International Space Station. After all, you can’t just open a window out in space. Airocide destroys toxic gasses, VOCs, organic PM10s and PM2.5s, including smoke, dust, viruses, mould spores, bacteria, returning pure clean air to the area. No filtration system can do all these things.

Using Airocide to develop compliance with the new legislation can have multiple positive benefits for your organisation: - Reduction in risk to workers and patrons. - Reduction in staff and their clothing being affected by the smell of smoke.

• Reduction of unpleasant odours in the gaming/smoking area, and attached areas.
• Reduction in staff absenteeism caused by effects of smoke, or diseases caught at work.
• Reduction in patron absenteeism caused by effects of smoke, or diseases caught at your facility. Apart from making your venue safer and more welcoming, each of the points above is a business boost.