smelly office

[lulu7]

I work in a hospital, in the basement, and it often stinks in the hallway which then comes into my working area.  I've been told it comes from this machine that burns human parts (tissue samples and stuff like that, I think).  I sit near the door so every time someone comes in I get hit with this very bad smell.  It is starting to get depressing and I don't even care what I look like anymore at work because it always feels dirty because of this smell.  Today was the worst it has ever been.  Apparently they were using this cleaner to clean the area because now they have rats near the loading dock.  The smell was so bad it smelled like raw sewage.  I could not even sit at my desk because the smell was so bad I could not breathe.  My boss has sent emails to the director of Environmental Servies,  but nothing seems to be done about it.  I am now looking for another job because I am so depressed about work and I think I'm beginning to become lazy about my work.  Am I overreacting?  Should I just learn to deal with this?  My husband is an architect and he believes that people's space truly affects how they feel, and I think he's right.  Does anyone else agree?

[ozbound]

I can empathize; I work in a very dusty office and my allergies are going nuts! I'm thinking we've gotta clean in here soon or I won't be able to stand it anymore. But still, that's nowhere near as bad as the situation you're describing (and at least we have some control over it). If the smell is so bad you can't breathe, that's definitely affecting your work! I think your supervisor and/or HR department should know about this and that you are thinking of quitting because of it. Perhaps they could move your office, or install an air purifier or something. If they don't take action, I think finding another job would be the best thing for your own health's sake.
BTW, I also think that if the smell is so bad, it's starting to draw rats, it's a real sanitation issue. Someone needs to speak up.

[Cathy S]

I absolutely agree that your space affects you - not as bad as your situation but we have an air conditioning unit which goes all the time (we can't switch it off) and is noisy.  I find when I am in the office I am sitting with my head bowed (as if ducking away from the overhead unit), which is unusual for me since I normally have a very upright posture.  I also find the noise it makes starts to grate in my head after a few hours.  Perhaps it is not surprising that I have migraine more frequently since I started this job.  We are due to move offices soon otherwise I would be looking for another job.

I find it worrying that a piece of equipment used to burn human tissue is not suitably vented completely away from any work area - I think this needs to be escalated to your Health and Safety team for proper risk assessment and action.

If they won't take it seriously then I don't think you have any option but to look for another job.

Cathy

[lulu7]

Thank you for the replys!  I'm so glad you mentioned looking for another job.  I actually have an interview Thursday.  I keep thinking am I crazy for looking for another job because of this, but it is really depressing to me.  I also am not crazy about the people I work with, so I guess that would be a smart thing to do.

[spitfire78]

Absolutely something needs to be done!  This is a horrible situation.  If nothing happens with your own Environmental Safety Department, then they should be reported to OSHA.  Of course, you probably won't want to report them until you are gone or on your way out the door, which I can understand.  

NO ONE should have to work under conditions such as this - especially on a permanent basis.  It is one thing if they tell you it is only temporary and they are working on a solution.  But to completely ignore the situation is unacceptable.

Since you're not happy in your job, I think your best move is to get the heck out of there.  However, you truly might want to think about reporting them to OSHA.

[lulu7]

Thanks.  My family often brings up OSHA....and I think about calling.   My boss sent emails to the Director of Environmental Services and he does say he is working on the problem, but I've been in this department in the basement for 2 1/2 years and it has always been bad.  I don't have much faith that something is going to be done.

Last week I was quite upset and said something again to my boss that I can't take this smell anymore and he said the Director of ES said nobody else is complaining.  I don't understand why nobody else is complaining because many times people are walking down the halls with their sleeves over their nose/mouth.

I feel so much better reading all these posts....it helps me to realize I'm not a complainer and that other people would feel the same way as me. Thanks!

[ozbound]

Glad you feel better...I can't believe "no one else is complaining" - the sleeves over the faces are themselves silent complaints! The OSHA advice is right on. Please let us know how this all works out for you!

[Jackie G]

You MUST complain and now.  Surely you can do it anonymously if you're worried about your job, although quite frankly to have stuck it for so long - I certainly would be long gone.

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

[peaches2160]

Contact OSHA!  No one should have to work in an office near something like that.  It sounds very unhealthy.  Your environment does effect your mental and physical health.  Don't let it bring you down and damage your self esteem.  Take care of YOU.

[lulu7]

Thank you all for the words of advise and encouragement!  Emails continue between my boss and his boss and the Director of Environmental Services re: the smell.  On Friday I was CC'd on an email with a list of things they are going to do differently now to keep the smell out of the building.  I had an interview Thursday and it really sounds like an interesting position, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Even though they say they are working on the smell in the basement I'm so discouraged I still want out of there.

[dettu]

You cannot get away from that smell and it's not a question of proper venting. I used to work in a medical school and the smell of the autoclave was HORRIBLE. The only way to get away from it was to get another job--I'd start looking if I were you!