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Posted By Mark Darmody
I am currently investigating a recent incident at my workplace which involves five office staff reporting symptoms of eye irritation. One of the five has been off work with a corneal ulcer!!!
The five staff have all recently been transferred hence all new into the workplace.
Their supervisor conducted DSE assessments during their first week no issues identified. Ergonomics good, taking breaks etc
All five wear contact lenses.
The workplace has air conditioning.
As a matter of course I extended my investigation into other office area's to check out other staff who wear contact lenses if they experienced similar symptoms. Out of six questioned four had the other two had not.
I have done a little research including such things as blink time, eyes drying out etc but have nothing factual.
Can any of you offer any advice or guidance with regard contact lens and their use???? or offer any other views.
Thanks in advance
Mark Darmody CMIOSH Dip2.OSH
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Posted By Luke.
I wear contact lenses, my office has air conditioning, I always have it on. I get dry eyes at the best of times (usually when the contacts first go in) but apart from that, no issues with any of the things you have mentioned.
Do you have a chemical store nearby or any chemical products/new carpets etc anything that could be blown through the office via A/C that might aggravate some peoples eyes?
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Posted By DougB
A long time ago ---I came across a similar position (solicitors office) where the Relative Humidity was well below what was expected, office temp high 70's/low 80's due to the electrical load (pc's, photocopier,solar gain etc.As well as problems with eyes, dry skin conditions also noted. Made use of EMAS to assist and following advice (eg switch off electrical equipment during lunch, have staff breaks away from desk etc and individual health advice (in confidence) no more problems. The manager also brought in some air purifiers---called plants !! No situation is exactly the same is the air conditioning (recirculating the same (dry) air?).
I am sure some Occ Hygienist can offer more direct advice.
Regards
D
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Posted By garyh
IMHO the fact that people have been transferred recently may have something to do with it.
I suspect that where "sick building syndrome" is touted it is actually the people who are "sick" ie stressed and unhappy at being in that building.
Perhaps it is something like that? This may be a case of group belief (I am trying not to use the word hysteria) playing a part.
Alternatively, if the problem is real, then it could be humidity (you can measure this). In terms of an airborne agent being responsible, this would affect everyone, not pick out contact lens wearers.
You could be firm but fair - get the complainants to come back with a letter from their optician confirming the problem.
My guess would be, no such letters will be forthcoming............
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Posted By John J
I'd suggest you consider the workload and whether people are taking suitable breaks away from the computer to do other work.
As an ex contact wearer I gave up with them after similar problems and reverted back to glasses and spilit my work to give my eyes a rest,
John
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Posted By Ucan
John,
The DSE Assessor has already completed a DSE assessment.......
QUOTE-
"Their supervisor conducted DSE assessments during their first week no issues identified. Ergonomics good, taking breaks etc"
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Ucan: Suggest though that to be "suitable and sufficient" any DSE Assessment must involve the persons at the Workstations.
Get yourself a hygrometer Mark and take some measurements - only takes a few minutes. You could perhaps borrow one from LA Environmental Health, or use this Forum and another thread to find someone locally to help you out with that.
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Posted By Liz Maw
Hi there
I am a contact lens wearer and work in an air conditioned office - I haven't experienced any problems. What I would say about the person with a corneal ulcer is that this has obviously been caused by an eye injury - something blowing up under the contact lens, or by an eye infection of some type. There are lots of different types of contact lenses, disposables, hard gas permeable or soft and when you are using re-usable lenses wearers need to pay careful attention to the recommended cleaning regime. When they don't this can result in eye irritation.
This might be something you want to look into a bit further to find out what type of lenses staff are having problems with.
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Posted By Claire Rizos
My husband's optician says this is a common problem and diagnosed that if he could not increase his blink rate when using the PC he'd have to limit his use of contact lenses when working.
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Posted By water67.
Hi, Experience would tend to agree that humidity may be the issue if to low. A hygrometer is a good idea you could leave it in the office and get one of the staff to complete a information sheet every hour .. give you an idea of what it is any variations etc. The link below will get you to a supplier. You can get a basic one, does the job ok, for around £16.00.
http://www.etiltd.co.uk/...eZ8vCS75UCFQyD1QodgVBreQ
hope this helps.
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