Posted By April Catherine Harvey Can anyone help,I work in custodail enviroment and have been asked to carry out a risk asssessment in both gyms,this is to include air flow and humidity.Has anyone done anything similar that could help please? April

Posted By Christopher Kelly The HSE have just brought out some new 'simple' guidance to risk assessment of this issue - check their website - it should be on there. Latest issue of RoSPA's magazine had a big article on it - check their magazine or it might be on their website. Regards

Posted By Rakesh Maharaj Hi April, It is quite difficult to use traditional risk assessment to determine the risk associated with environmental hazards such as temperature or ventilation. As mentioned previously, for modelling the effect of heat (temperature) on the body, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGT) should be calculated. Normally an index exceeding 30 will require active measures to be taken to reduce the exposure/time etc. From a ventilation standpoint, using a hot wired anemometer will enable you to take static measurements of airflow in critical areas. Countries with temperate or warmer climates normally consider airflow of >2m/s to be acceptable. Contact a local occupational hygienist to undertake thermal modelling for you and any motivation you make for improvement or risk reduction will be supported by empirical data. Alternatively please feel free to contact me direct, depending on your location, I may know someone who could help. Regards R