Why Air Quality Is Becoming a Workplace and Governance Risk

Air quality has traditionally been viewed as a public health or domestic issue. However, recent UK government proposals to introduce health warnings on new wood-burning stoves have brought renewed attention to air pollution and its long-term impacts.

While the focus is often on households, the implications extend to organisations as well. Air quality is increasingly relevant to those responsible for workplaces, buildings and environmental impact, and it is becoming a broader governance and risk management issue.

Why air quality risk matters to organisations

Poor air quality is linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and long-term health conditions. In workplace settings, this can contribute to increased sickness absence, reduced productivity and reputational harm.

Organisations may be exposed through:

• Internal ventilation and indoor air quality

• Emissions linked to heating or operations

• Environmental impact on surrounding communities

• Oversight of buildings and facilities

As awareness grows, organisations are increasingly expected to understand and manage these risks, even where impacts appear indirect.

Regulatory expectations are rising

UK environmental policy now places stronger emphasis on prevention, evidence and accountability. Regulators are increasingly focused on whether organisations can demonstrate:

• Systematic identification of environmental risks

• Ongoing monitoring and review

• Clear ownership and responsibility

• Leadership oversight and action

Environmental performance is no longer assessed on intent alone. It is judged on how risks are managed in practice.

The risk of informal management

Where air quality and environmental risks are handled informally, organisations often rely on assumptions rather than evidence. Controls may exist, but without structured monitoring and review, blind spots can develop over time.

This reactive approach increases operational and reputational exposure, particularly as public and regulatory scrutiny increases.

Why system-based approaches help

Environmental management frameworks such as ISO 14001 provide structure for identifying, managing and reviewing environmental risks consistently. When applied effectively, they support accountability, meaningful monitoring and leadership review.

Digital tools such as MyBase can further support this approach by centralising environmental risks, tracking inspections and actions, and maintaining visibility across sites and activities.

Looking ahead

Air quality is unlikely to fall off the regulatory agenda. Organisations that treat environmental risk as a core governance responsibility will be better placed to respond with confidence.

Managing air quality is no longer just about compliance. It is about credibility, transparency and long-term sustainability.

Review how environmental risks are identified and managed within your organisation.

Air quality is one of many environmental aspects that now attract closer scrutiny. A structured ISO 14001 Environmental Management System helps organisations identify impacts, define controls, monitor performance and demonstrate leadership oversight.

👉 Environmental Management System