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Building issues
geri1965_2
Posts: 8,736 Forumite
Don't know if anyone can help me with this, but here goes.
The office I work in is very old and has sash windows - there are three in my office, two are quite hard to get to but there is one behind me which I open and close each day, depending how hot/cold I feel. Anyway, the it's very stiff and takes quite a lot of force to open and close, and in the last couple of weeks I've noticed pain in my chest & back. It's not very serious but it does come on after I have opened the window, and usually gets better by the time I get home.
Could the exertion of opening the window be causing this? If so, what can be done about it - is there a way to make the windows easier to open? The problem is that we do not own the building and we have to report things like this to the managing agents and it takes forever to get things done - for example, we have had a broken toilet seat for almost a month now.
Another thing is that only two out of my three windows have blinds - the one that doesn't is to the right of my desk, and if it's very sunny I can hardly see my PC screen. I reported this to the H&S officer a few months ago and asked for new blinds, however, nothing has been done.
Any suggestions welcome.
The office I work in is very old and has sash windows - there are three in my office, two are quite hard to get to but there is one behind me which I open and close each day, depending how hot/cold I feel. Anyway, the it's very stiff and takes quite a lot of force to open and close, and in the last couple of weeks I've noticed pain in my chest & back. It's not very serious but it does come on after I have opened the window, and usually gets better by the time I get home.
Could the exertion of opening the window be causing this? If so, what can be done about it - is there a way to make the windows easier to open? The problem is that we do not own the building and we have to report things like this to the managing agents and it takes forever to get things done - for example, we have had a broken toilet seat for almost a month now.
Another thing is that only two out of my three windows have blinds - the one that doesn't is to the right of my desk, and if it's very sunny I can hardly see my PC screen. I reported this to the H&S officer a few months ago and asked for new blinds, however, nothing has been done.
Any suggestions welcome.
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Comments
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Get your immediate line manager or any superior of yours to sort it.
Sounds like an awful company to work for if they cant even get a toilet seat fixed....
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I know, it shifted the other day in mid flow and I tinkled on my leg!
My manager is not based in this office, but he will be here on Thursday for my appraisal, so I will bring it up then.
Am I right in thinking that sash windows normally have some kind of cord to open them with?0 -
:rotfl: TMI!I know, it shifted the other day in mid flow and I tinkled on my leg!
Raise it as a Health and Safety issue (because it is). Here's a good summary with links to 'chapter and verse'.My manager is not based in this office, but he will be here on Thursday for my appraisal, so I will bring it up then.
You don't use the cord to open them, but there is a cord running in the frame, over a little pulley. If the cord breaks, or the cord falls off the pulley, they are extremely difficult to open.Am I right in thinking that sash windows normally have some kind of cord to open them with?
If the cord has broken, that's also a H&S issue because they can fall unpredictably.
They can also be difficult to open if the wood has expanded and that can vary according to the weather!Signature removed for peace of mind0 -
Remind the health and safety officer that they may be looking at breaches of HASWA sec2 (possible) sec4 and workplace health safety welfare reg 15(1).Don’t be a can’t, be a can.0
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The problem is that our H&S person will report it to the managing agents, and they will do nothing about it. If I tell my boss I've hurt my back opening them, he will probably tell me not to open them. :rolleyes:
Would it be unreasonable of them to expect me not to open the window? It gets really hot otherwise - we don't have aircon.0 -
Good advice here, sash windows should open freely (the cord is tied to lead weights in the box to counterbalance the weight of the sash you're opening)
sash windows opened top and bottom provide significantly better performance, removing stale air quicker and cooler fresh air without the need for an electric fan.......but only if they operate properly!
sashmanBuying quality goods which last, should be an investment that saves money. :T
Buying cheap products which fail, wastes money and costs twice as much in the long run. :mad:0
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