{"id":22586,"date":"2021-08-04T11:11:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T15:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22586"},"modified":"2021-08-04T11:11:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-04T15:11:52","slug":"people-before-profit-propose-new-law-to-mandate-co2-monitors-in-workplaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22586","title":{"rendered":"People Before Profit Propose New Law To Mandate CO2 Monitors In Workplaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Paul Murphy at the launch of the Bill (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>A new law proposed by People Before Profit would see carbon dioxide monitors installed in every workplace as a way to tackle the spread of Covid-19.<\/p>\n

The party has put forward a Bill which would make it a legal requirement for all workplaces to have proper ventilation in place.<\/p>\n

Launching the proposed legislation on Wednesday, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said good ventilation is \u201ccrucial\u201d to keep staff safe.<\/p>\n

Mr Murphy said the Bill, inspired by a similar Belgian law, would require workplaces and businesses across the country to install carbon dioxide monitors to ensure a safe flow of air through their premises.<\/p>\n

Mr Murphy said a high level of carbon dioxide in the air would indicate that a building is poorly ventilated.<\/p>\n

Employers would need to ensure that there is less than 900 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re talking about here is not some huge amount of investment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Murphy said it is a \u201ccrazy situation\u201d that Ireland has no legislation setting out enforceable ventilation requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a reason that Nphet (the National Public Health Emergency Team) advises people to be outside if possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a real problem when you have lots of guides but none of it has legal effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Murphy said he acknowledges that some buildings are, by design, difficult to ventilate.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will have a small minority of buildings that it\u2019s very difficult to make safe from the point of view of, through the mechanism of ventilation without enormous infrastructural works.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in favor, where substantial work would have to be done to make a workplace safe, that Government would provide grants to enable that to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is no reason that the hospitality industry should oppose these plans, he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt actually could result in a situation where people would go into a pub or restaurant and decide \u2018Oh no, the numbers are a bit on the high side for me. I feel safer in a place that is better ventilated\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the Government said it will be providing carbon dioxide monitors to schools \u2013 a move welcomed by Irish trade unions.<\/p>\n

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