Why Allergens Matter in the Workplace
Allergies can lead to anything from mild discomfort to severe, even life-threatening, reactions. Businesses have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH regulations to manage these risks and protect their people.
Common Workplace Allergens
- Food: Nuts, dairy, gluten, and more in communal areas.
- Chemicals: Cleaning products and solvents.
- Airborne: Pollen, dust mites, mould.
- Materials: Latex in gloves or medical supplies.
What Employers Can Do
- Assess the Risks: Understand what allergens exist in your environment and which employees may be affected.
- Adjust Policies: Use hypoallergenic cleaning products, manage food allergen risks, and avoid latex or fragranced products where possible.
- Raise Awareness: Encourage open conversations about allergies. Provide training so all staff know how to respond to allergic reactions.
- Keep the Environment Healthy: Good ventilation, regular cleaning, and damp prevention can reduce airborne allergens.
Creating a Safer, More Inclusive Workplace
Allergy sufferers often experience anxiety about potential exposure, which can affect concentration, morale, and job satisfaction. By creating a culture of understanding and support, businesses not only meet their legal obligations but also show employees that their wellbeing is a genuine priority.
Small changes - like clear signage, substitution of cleaning agents, or even a simple conversation - can make a big difference in making the workplace safer and more inclusive.
Allergy awareness isn’t just about meeting legal obligations - it’s about creating a respectful, supportive culture. Small adjustments can make a big difference to affected employees.
If you’d like help reviewing your workplace policies or identifying allergen risks, What No Safety is here to support you.