Who do I talk to about unsafe conditions in my work environment?

Question

I work in an office setting at a newspaper. I spend about half my shift moving around the department, working with clients and advertising reps. Every morning, they turn the heat on in my department, and it becomes extremely hot. The thermostat says the temp in my department is 85 degrees right now -- extremely uncomfortable when you're wearing slacks, a button up shirt and a tie. Virtually every person who visits my department instantly mentions how hot it is. I brought this electronic thermostat thing I have to see if it really was 85 degrees, thinking the one in my office might be broken, and it confirmed the temp. I know it's winter but it doesn't get that cold in Oregon and the heat in this department makes me feel very nauseated and gives me headaches. Only two people out of 25 in my dept. can adjust the heat controls but they sit in areas of the department that aren't as hot. I have to beg them every day to change it but the next day it's back on. How can I put an end to this?

Answer 1

I would raise the issue with whoever handles building maintenance for the firm first, second I would talk to whoever has to pay the electric bill. In our building we had the same problem but some offices were too cold. Turned out the termostat was broken after all. It read that the temperature was 70 degrees, but it would still turn on the A/C and the offices would be in the 50's and shooting cold air on our fingers while we tried to type. The ones in the coldest offices were constantly begging for us to turn the heat up. You situation sounds like the same problem in reverse.

If they are agreeing to turn the heat down after their offices warm up, but the problem returns the next day, check that the nightly cleaning crew isn't turning on the heat for their comfort, then leaving it on.

If the building maintenence can't solve the problem, next I'd look into finding out who pays the bills. Even in our moderate temps in Oregon, heating a building to 85 degrees in winter is expensive! Somebody is going to want to see that fixed and the cost reduced. It would be cheaper to buy the cold offices floor heaters rather than heating the rest of the office to 85.

Failing that, I would ask to have A/C installed in your department. At least you could counter the problem. If that doesn't work, contact OSHA (federal) or SAIC (Oregon). There has to be a statute that covers workplace comfort zones. 85 degrees inside with 40-50's outside has got to be harmful to your immune system. That's too rapid a temperature change. And if you are experiencing other symptoms, it's a workman's compensation claim. Go to the doctor a few times and file a SAIC claim - that will get someone's attention!