Posted By fatpogle2
I have an employee with non-work related asthma who insists on sitting by an open window all year round. This has been met since moving here 5 years ago by placing the employee in their own small office. We now need to reorganise the workplace to gain more space and it will no longer be possible to accommodate this demand. All offices with windows are being taken down and other employees have already indicated they will not tolerate an ever-open window in an open plan area. I realise that we are required to make reasonable adjustments, but can anyone suggest what options are open to me? Thanks in advance.

Posted By John Richards
One assumes, with the windows being removed, that provisions have been made for "adequate ventilation" ?
After all, there is an ACOP specifying air changes for workplaces.
There is also a provision for the amount of space per person within a work area.
The triggers could also be perfumes/deodorants or just bad body odour.
Ozone from printers/copiers could be a trigger as well.
In fact, I think I may have read a source attributing [some cases of]occupational asthma to that.
Anyway, since asthma can easily be a LIFE THREATENING condition.......
http://www.personneltoda...mination-and-unfair.html


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Ventilation
Workplaces need to be adequately ventilated. Fresh, clean air should be drawn from a source outside the workplace, uncontaminated by discharges from flues, chimneys or other process outlets, and be circulated through the workrooms.
Ventilation should also remove and dilute warm, humid air and provide air movement which gives a sense of freshness without causing a draught. If the workplace contains process or heating equipment or other sources of dust, fumes or vapours, more fresh air will be needed to provide adequate ventilation.
Windows or other openings *may* provide sufficient ventilation but, where necessary, mechanical ventilation systems should be provided and regularly maintained.