The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

These regulations lay down minimum standards for workplaces, the working environment and welfare facilities. Regulation 6 states that, in enclosed workplaces, employers must provide effective and suitable ventilation to supply a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air. Air which is taken from the outside can normally be considered to be “fresh”, although air inlets should not be sited, for example, close to a flue, an exhaust ventilation system outlet, or an area in which vehicles manoeuvre.

The university and college union UCU handbook (see pages 22-23) suggests that environmental reps and safety reps liaise on a number of issues including air quality and risk assessment.