General ventilation is systems where a large amount of fresh air is supplied and polluted air is evacuated. In workplaces with general ventilation, pollutants can spread throughout the workplace. Therefore, it should be known that workplaces with high doses of toxic substances or hazardous chemicals will not be sufficient.
There is no legal legislation on how ventilation will be in workplaces. However, as stated below in Articles 15-18 of the Regulation on Workplace Building and Extensions,
- It is ensured that there is sufficient fresh air that employees in closed workplaces need. In determining the sufficient air volume, the working method, number of employees and the work done by the employees are taken into consideration.
- It is ensured that wastes and residues that may harm the health of the employees by polluting the working environment are immediately thrown out. A mechanical (forced) ventilation system is set up separately from the general ventilation system, in a shape and quality to remove suffocating, toxic or irritating gas and dust, mist, smoke and bad odors out of the environment.
- When using a mechanical ventilation system, it is ensured that the system is always working. If the ventilation system does not work and is dangerous in terms of occupational health and safety, a control system reporting the failure is established. Maintenance and repair of mechanical and general ventilation systems and appropriate filter use and replacement are made by authorized persons annually.
- In passive (artificial) ventilation systems, it is ensured that the air flow does not disturb the employees, does not affect the physical and psychological conditions of the employees negatively, and does not create a sudden and high temperature difference.
Occupational health and safety measures should be taken into account.
Other legislation, for example, Occupational health and safety regulation in mining workplaces, Article 8 and sub-clauses, Occupational health and safety regulation in construction works, Annex 4-A Articles 35, 36, 37, 38 Annex 4-B 3,72-a As stated in Article 7-2 of the regulation on health and safety precautions in working with substances and as stated in other parts of other regulations, the importance of ventilation has a priority in terms of employee health and safety.
If we make a general description of ventilation, it is considered as a kind of “engineering control” for the elimination or control of pollutants (dirty, toxic, dusty and explosive air) that spread to indoor working environments. It is one of the ways to control workers’ exposure to air pollutants. It is known that the morale of the employees in the clean air is high, the working power is at a high level and the risk of occupational diseases and occupational accidents is much lower in this sense.
