air con in the office...

[spaced]

my partner sits beneath an air con unit in here office. The air flow is constantly on her. She has started getting muscle pains in her shoulder. When she leaves the office her muscles in her shoulders and back stiffen, so much that at times it has a detrimental effect on her beathing. Could this be the air con? I feel that the air con is having this effect on her, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought.

She has complained about this to her bss, who has refused to move her. Problem is her boss is married to he MD. so there is no one else to complain to. What be greatful to hear your thoughts around this muscle pain and if you think it could be linked to the air con hitting her constantly.

Ta

[4getmenot]

It could be the air con, because I know whenever I get a stiff neck overnight and I tell my mum she always says was your window open. I dont know how it effects you but apparently a breeze does.

[PhilBy]

I would say this could be having an effect on her health. There is someone she can complain to....

http://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/index.htm

I also strongly recommend your wife visit her GP.

[laurence2]

Has anyone else complained or are sitting directly under the air-conditioning.

Your company have an obligation under the 1974 health & safety at work act, to take care of its employees, if your partner has complained {always best to put it in writing} they are duty bound to investigate full stop.

Is your partner in a union{helpful}, if not try to get some free legal advice, their could well be a link to the cold air-stiff neck, their could also be a required distance between the air-con and employees as i'm sure their would be a dis-comfort factor, once again try getting advice on the working enviroment, this covers amongst other things suitable working tempertures.

Good luck

[Bowieblue]

If it was me I would go to the HR Dept. if you have one and see what they say. I think it could be the air con - it can be icy cold when on one spot all the time. Does your partner use a computer? if she uses the mouse a lot that can give shoulder pain too. I'd go to the GP if it doesnt get any better. I would asked to be moved again too - I know its not easy in different situations at work, but dont let your health suffer.

[Ethel]

I cannot be in air conditioned environment for very long.

It aggravates my Reynauds (especially if the air is directed straight at me) and worsens the asthma.

Sitting in a cold draught will bring on stiffness and aches and pains.

[hannahjo]

Have you heard of sick building syndrome? Looks like it could be affecting your partner, have a read here:

http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/rise/story/0,,1733437,00.html

[mccfluff]

I have this problem a lot, she needs to talk to the health and safety officer for the company who will carry out a desk assessment to see if it is the just the aircon or if any other factors may be contributing. The obvious solution is to move desks, but I have also contacted our aircon company to redirect the vents (this is not possible on all types of units), which in some cases has worked. The company has an obligation to provide a safe working environment simply refusing to deal with the problem is not an option and she should not accept this!

[Champagne]

Laurence is correct. If she has complained about the air con then it's in the company's interest to move her and then investigate further if they wish. Your partner does need to visit her GP though, because if her condition worsens then she'll need a record of it. At the end of the day it's her company who will lose out because she'll be able to take time off work with illness and they won't have a leg to stand on. H&S is a major issue in the workplace and they're silly if they think they can ignore it.

[spaced]

I have told her that its a health and safety issue for her company, but they dont seem that bothered, plus her manager being the big mans wife doesnt help things. I may have to intervene. Thanks to you all for your fantastic responses.

[Rubyrose]

I used to get this problem when I sat below the air con vent. It was right on my neck and I used to get a stiff neck. I went to the health and safety lady about it and she sorted it out but the company refused to turn off the dumb thing! In the middle of summer we were using scarfs!!!!

Just because the MD is her boss's wife it doesn't mean he can't take her seriously. Thats one of the conditions of working with a partner.. never let it get in the way of work. If he doesn't take her seriously then you can go to HR about it. But for now I would tell the MD or Health and Safety and I would let them know that if it isn't sorted.. she might end up coming in in a neck brace and billing them for her new chiropractor!

[teag1rl]

I had this exact problem at my old job (althoug it never affected my breathing). I was sitting in a draught all day, got stiff neck and shoulders and would have to huddle in front of heater when I got home to warm my body through!. Complained to everyone, officer in charge of building, personel, occupational health, head of dept. Nothing was done. I changed jobs in the end. I feel sorry for your partner. It's horrible. Sorry, my post isn't of much use. Just saying that unless it is affecting those you complain to themselves they seem to think you're just a bit nesh and feel the cold too much!

[gessoo]

Travelled back from holiday by plane last week and have been suffering with a bad neck and upper back ever since due to the air conditioning. I too have suffered from working in an air conditioned building. By law they should acknowledge and investigate any complaints made by your partner. At the very least, perhaps she could move to another area where the aircon isn't directly above her.

[madham]

This happened to my colleague and she decided to go to work in a scarf and after being told off for wearing it, she said she would take it off until they did something about the aircon, they never switched it off, but they did move her only after she had a hospital letter inviting her to go for physio, she changed jobs not long after though as there was always an atmosphere. What temperature is it on, ours is on 21deg, baltic! But I thought room temperature should be 24deg??

Tell your partner not to put up with it, you don't go to work to be frozen. Good luck.