Building work/fumes at work

[custardandrhubarb]

Hello,

Just looking for some wisdom and advice please. Some major building work has started at my work (they are replacing the lift right near my office) and doing some other construction stuff in reception. The areas look well sealed off and I've been told that the paints comply with coshh regulations.

However, today the fumes were overwhelming - like glue or something and gave me a real headache. I've had the door to my office shut and had a fan going so hope I've kept baby clear (I'm 21 weeks) but still feeling yuck so am on my way home. Just wondering what you would do if the smell/fumes continue? The building work will be going on until I start maternity leave. I've alerted the building manager to my discomfort but not sure how firm or persistant to be!

Does anyone know if complying with coshh regulations means all paint will be low VOC? (Have been looking into painting the baby's room!)

Thanks

I'd expect to have to keep my door shut and all the windows open until I went on ML.

I wasn't particularly bothered about fumes when pregnant though.

Thanks flisspaps, only one of my windows opens and not very far but I'm hoping the fan will do the same job. Think I wouldn't be bothered about the fumes if they weren't having this effect on me - can't leave early every time it gets bad but nor do I want to feel at work all the time!

I can't answer your question but I can sympathise. When I was pregnant they had the whole building painted and it made me feel horrendous every day. Luckily for me it was a short term thing. Is there another area at work you could work in which wouldn't be so badly affected?

complying with COSHH doesn't mean the substance is not hazardous though it can do, it means if it is hazardous the hazard is managed so it doesn't harm health. i.e adequate ventilation, providing PPE (personal protective equipment) etc

COSHH is control of substances hazardous to human health. The key word is hazardous. So if the substance comes under COSHH control it isn't because it is good for you. here

That said, I am not trying to worry you, as if they are aware and are taking adequate precautions any possible risk should be within acceptable limits i.e the amount of ventilation has been risk assessed and measured as adequate.

Perhaps the serious discomfort is as much of a problem. Can you move work locations for a while?

If the management have mentioned it is covered by COSHH I would be tempted to ask to see their COSHH assessment. The product being used should also come with a safety data sheet which describes the risks from that particular product.

There is a duty for the employer to: 'The COSHH Regulations require employers to assess the risk to their employees, and to prevent or adequately control those risks.'

This explains it quite well and briefly www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.pdf

Thanks GinPalace and lizzywig - I feel a bit more informed now! The only alternative accommodation would be in a different building which from a work point of view is not ideal, but I might mention it to them anyhow because even at "safe" levels, I don't fancy smelling that all day every day, or winding up with loads of headaches.

I've worked there for 4 years and they've never had any improvement works done in that time, typical that these things come along to test a pregnant mind/sense of smell!