Employer won't open windows!

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Subject: Employer won't open windows!

Hi,

I have had a scout about on google and couldn't really see anything on this.

I work in a building with air con. The windows are huge and glass and it's absolutely boiling in the sun. We have called facilities to give us a key for the windows (the part that opens is smaller than a child so no risk of falling) and they refused. What are our rights to having the windows opened. Do we have a right to fresh air?

Also if not do we have the right to see information on how "clean" the system is.

Thanks in advance.

SB
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CyberCandyGirluk
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Subject: Employer won't open windows!

Having a DSE assessment carried out at your workspace [as suggested by Benzonar] is what you have to have done. I assume it is a legal requirement, when such an action is requested. And do pursue the matter with the company you work with. All employees deserve to work in a comfortable, safe environment. If you are literally frying everyday, then that is not the case and something needs to be done urgently.

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Traceuk
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Subject: Employer won't open windows!

I work in an office where we have almost floor-to-ceiling windows which don't open at all, and aircon which varies wildly - on my side of our group of four desks, it's usually too warm, but six feet away on the other side of the desks it's cold.

When it was really warm for a few weeks earlier in the summer, we found we coped better by keeping the blinds closed while the sun was on our side of the building, and leaving the main lights off (we had enough light from the windows to see what we needed to) - and it DID seem to keep it a few degrees cooler.

In addition a couple of us have small fans on our desks - even if they're not pointing directly at us, it just helps to have the air moving (I think mine was about �6 from Staples)

Hope this helps!

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Geri24
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Quoted:

Having a DSE assessment carried out at your workspace [as suggested by Benzonar] is what you have to have done. I assume it is a legal requirement, when such an action is requested. And do pursue the matter with the company you work with. All employees deserve to work in a comfortable, safe environment. If you are literally frying everyday, then that is not the case and something needs to be done urgently.
Posted by NamedCandyGirl

I have a similar issue with a window at my work with no blind - on a sunny day, it's so bright I can barely see my screen. I raised this in the DSE assessment, but our H&S rep says the forms we filled in don't actually go anywhere, they just stay on file. What is the point of that?

I also have an issue with another window, it's so stiff to open that it hurts my neck. We reported it to the managing agents and they've "put it on their list" (of things to look at, eventually).

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