Managers are responsible for the working environment, to keep people safe, healthy and productive. With ergonomic practices such as the utilisation of well-designed equipment or good posture as effective methods to reduce stress and improve productivity, Airgonomics also contributes to health and wellbeing. Air quality is often abstract or overlooked as we cannot see air, good Airgonomic practices should therefore be applied to maximise health benefits.
We aim for Airgonomics to become just as widely accepted and incorporated as part of normal operational practices to ensure that every workplace provides the best working conditions for employees while also enabling organisations to meet their business and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) objectives.
That is completely up to the organisation to decide. For companies with large global footprints, it could be the case that a CAO is appointed per local market. It could also be the case that one CAO is appointed for the entire organisation with Airgonomics Officers or Airgonomics Ambassadors appointed in different markets.
The initiative seeks to provide training opportunities for as many people and organisations as possible to spread the knowledge on Airgonomics – how the organisation wishes to organise themselves as part of the CAO initiative is completely up to them to accommodate their own organisational structures and needs.
CAOs would be required to dedicate themselves in time and resources to fulfil their responsibilities and to make a change. With this said, the title is likely to sit alongside another job title as a voluntary office role like the organisation’s designated fire safety officer.
Camfil’s own CAO, for example, is also the President of Global Sales and Marketing. With over 17 years of experience of responding to client needs and providing consultation on achieving the best indoor air quality, our CAO is acutely aware of the gaps that exist among companies and organisations when it comes to indoor air and was inspired to step into this role.
We often wear many hats at work – similarly, CAOs, whether they come from the HR department, facilities and maintenance, or are CEOs themselves, are foreseeable to do the same.
We also expect that the time dedicated to fulfilling the responsibilities of a CAO will differ among organisations according to their needs and depending on the company’s size.
We have a dedicated CAO training programme for those interested in becoming their organisation’s Chief Airgonomics Officer. Click here to find out about the Training Programme and learn how you or your colleague can join.
Individuals interested in the initiative, as a CAO or not, can also join the Airgonomics Network on LinkedIN. By joining, people will receive information on what’s new with the CAO initiative, updates on new CAO appointments and partnerships, upcoming trainings and podcasts and exciting new activities.
Understanding indoor air quality can be complex. We can feel the air - it’s warm, cold or humid. We have a sense of being tired if the CO2 level is not correct, and we can get stiff necks when there is a draft or wind. But we cannot see the air or if it contains unwanted or harmful particles.
As part of the CAO initiative we will provide trainings to educate on the topic of indoor air quality. We will also provide podcast conversations and material to start the discussion with the Management teams in your organisations to raise the awareness. If we all talk about this, we can together start a movement in our organisation and elsewhere globally!
The Chief Airgonomics Officer (CAO) will be your support in advocating for a productive, sustainable and efficient working environment. Improving your indoor air quality (IAQ) can bring positive business impacts by:
The first and foremost benefit is in human health. Considering the impact of air pollution, the first priority of a CAO will be to protect the health and well-being of employees at the workplace, whether they may be at a production site, an office space or a research lab. A workplace should not pose any health risks to employees. While this is a widely accepted principle, it cannot be realised without ensuring access to clean indoor air.
Further, ensuring clean indoor air at production or research sites will enable clean production, procedures and supply lines thus the potential for unlocking benefits from a business point of view is enormous.
HR teams will also be better supported to ensure improved health and wellbeing conditions to set employers apart as frontrunners when it comes to employee-centric work environments. Employees will also be reassured knowing exactly who to go to when they have questions or concerns on their workplace’s indoor air quality.
A 2022 survey showed that more than 6 in 10 say that they will quit their current position if their employer doesn’t take steps to create healthier indoor environment. As a key determinant to employee health and wellbeing, it is critical for organisations to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) to:
Chief Airgonomics Officers will help support the objectives of HR teams by helping organisations to take accountability over IAQ through qualified and trained individuals who can make change happen.
Certainly! You can take part in different ways. One way is by joining the Airgonomics Network on LinkedIn . As a member, you will be able to share your knowledge, insights and opinions on Airgonomics and health and wellbeing at the workplace and engage in conversations with other like-minded individuals.
Another way is to listen in on podcasts and trainings that will be organised around specific topics related to air quality, sustainability or health issues at the workplace led by Camfil’s in-house and third-party experts. These are not only for CAOs but for anyone who is interested in learning more about these topics, find more information under Learn.
If you happen to be an expert on the topics of indoor air quality, sustainability and health and wellbeing issues at the workplace, don’t hesitate to reach out to Camfil to see how you can become involved in the initiative as an expert!
You can join the Airgonomics Network on LinkedIN and sign up to our newsletter to receive regular updates on:
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on people’s health, productivity and well-being – it should not fall through the cracks without anyone taking accountability for it or maximising its benefits. Appointing a CAO will ensure that an organisation has a qualified individual in place who will take responsibility over IAQ and has the authority to make change happen.
Further, with a CAO, employees will know exactly who to turn to when they have questions or concerns over their workplace’s indoor air while business leaders will have a point of contact to help deliver on the benefits of air quality within their roles. It is a concrete solution to an invisible problem.
I. Raise awareness on the importance of good indoor air quality for human health, productivity, well-being and the environment. We cannot see air, but we are all affected by it.
II. Prompt workplaces and organisations everywhere to take 100% responsibility over indoor air by appointing their own Chief Airgonomics Officer (CAO).
III. Start an initiative to sustain a global movement for clean air to the benefit of people, businesses, and the environment.
IV. Create a community of likeminded people and organisations to share knowledge and best practices when it comes to clean air and workplace conditions.
There is someone responsible for nearly every facet of operating an organisation. However, there is a glaring gap when it comes to taking accountability for workplace’s indoor air despite its direct impact on employees’ health, productivity and well-being.
The CAO initiative responds to this gap by raising awareness on the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ) and inviting organisations to act by appointing their own Chief and Airgonomics Officers (CAOs) - designated individuals who will be 100% responsible for the IAQ at their workplace.
Any interested organisations can get involved and individuals who are interested in becoming CAOs will follow a CAO Training Programme to become certified and empowered to take action. The initiative also aims to build a community of likeminded organisations and individuals where best practices and knowledge on indoor air and workplace conditions can be exchanged. Join the Airgonomics Network on LinkedIn to become a part of the Airgonomics community.
Camfil is a world leader in air filtration and was founded 60 years ago in Sweden with the motto, “Everyone should have clean air”. The company has made it its cause to educate people and organisations about the need and benefits of clean and healthy indoor air.
With the CAO initiative, the company hopes to start a movement where proactive people in organisations across the globe understand and drive better and healthier indoor air as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Any organisations who prioritise health, wellbeing, comfort, safety, productivity and efficiency of their people and operations should join the Chief Airgonomics Officer (CAO) initiative.
Individuals who are experts in the areas of air quality, sustainability, health and wellbeing issues should also consider taking part in the initiative by joining the Airgonomics Network where they can share their knowledge, insight and opinions and engage in conversations. They can also join as experts to lead webinars, be part of podcasts and other activities. Reach out to see how you can get involved in the CAO initiative as an expert!
There are three macroenvironmental factors that are prompting us to act:
The initiative is a natural extension of Camfil’s work around providing clean air solutions in a sustainable way and after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking with us to the future the many lessons learnt. This has reinforced our commitment and vision to ensure clean air everywhere through the CAO initiative.
The new WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) that have been updated from the 2005 Guidelines, are a turning point when it comes to understanding the impact of air pollution on human health. The new AQGs show “clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood” and as a result, almost all AQGs levels have been lowered to reflect the significant risk posed by air pollution.
Further, without intervention, studies show that indoor air is just as or 2-5x more polluted than outdoor air, and in some cases even more polluted. The new WHO AQGs highlight the urgency of making clean air accessible everywhere. It is something we must act upon now.
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