Managers are responsible for the working environment, to keep people safe, healthy and productive. With ergonomic practices such as the utilization of well-designed equipment or good posture as effective methods to reduce stress and improve productivity, Airgonomics also contributes to health and well-being. Air quality is often abstract or overlooked as we cannot see air, good Airgonomic practices should therefore be applied to maximize 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 organizations to meet their business and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) objectives.
That is completely up to the organization 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 organization with Airgonomics Officers or Airgonomics Ambassadors appointed in different markets.
The initiative seeks to provide training opportunities for as many people and organizations as possible to spread knowledge on Airgonomics – how the organization wishes to organize themselves as part of the CAO initiative is completely up to them to accommodate their own organizational structures and needs.
CAOs would be required to dedicate their time and resources to fulfill 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 organization'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 in 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 organizations when it comes to indoor air and was eager 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 organizations according to their needs and depending on the company’s size.
We have a dedicated CAO training program for those interested in becoming their organization’s Chief Airgonomics Officer. Click here to find out about the training program 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 training programs 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 training to educate on the topic of indoor air quality. We will also provide material to start the discussion with the management teams in your organizations to raise awareness. If we all talk about this, we can together start a movement!
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 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 realized 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 well-being conditions to set employers apart as frontrunners when it comes to employee-centric work environments. Employees will also be reassured by knowing exactly who to go to when they have questions or concerns about their workplace’s indoor air quality.
A 2022 survey showed that more than six in 10 say they will quit their current position if their employer doesn’t create healthier indoor environments. As a key determinant of employee health and well-being, it is critical for organizations to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) to:
Chief Airgonomics Officers will help support the objectives of HR teams by helping organizations 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 can share your knowledge, insights, and opinions on Airgonomics and health and well-being at the workplace and engage in conversations with like-minded individuals.
Another way is to listen in on podcasts and training organized 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 well-being 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 to receive regular updates on the following:
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 maximizing its benefits. Appointing a CAO will ensure that an organization has a qualified individual in place who will take responsibility for 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 of 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 organizations everywhere to take 100% responsibility for indoor air by appointing their own Chief Airgonomics Officer (CAO).
III. Start an initiative to sustain a global movement for clean air to benefit people, businesses, and the environment.
IV. Create a community of like-minded people and organizations to share knowledge and best practices regarding clean air and workplace conditions.
There is someone responsible for nearly every facet of operating an organization. However, there is a glaring gap when it comes to taking accountability for the 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 organizations 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 organizations 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 like-minded organizations 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 organizations 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 organizations across the globe understand and drive better and healthier indoor air as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Any organization that prioritizes health, well-being, 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 well-being 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 macro-environmental 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 learned. This has reinforced our commitment and vision to ensure clean air everywhere through the CAO initiative.
The new WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) which 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 AQG 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 two to five times 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.
Sign up for the Chief Airgonomics to keep informed on the CAO movement and other Indoor Air Quality news.