Posted By Julie P Am hoping one of you wise IOSH colleagues may be able to help. I'm working in an office where the walls are literally running with water, right above electrical trunking. The carpets are often getting a good soaking too, and every door carries a 'mind the bucket' sign. Costs have been looked into to get the roof repaired, but companies have refused to quote on the basis that repairs are not possible. The whole roof would have to be replaced. Given that the roof covers not only offices, but also a large manufacturing area, the costs would be massive and way above any budget we could raise. I really don't know where to start with tackling this one. Obviously there are the risks involving electricity/water, but I'm also guessing that the damp environment won't exactly be helping our health - especially given that one person in the worst area suffers from asthma. Any advice on where to start, who to contact, etc on getting back-up to enforce some type of action, or even whether any form of grants are available for such work would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Julie

Posted By Neil Pearson A school once asked me to help with a similar situation. In their case the damp had caused alot of fungal infestation which definitely isn't good news for asthma sufferers. The school wanted an argument to help get funding. I got a professor of microbiology from the local university to contribute to a report, in which I pointed out the absolute duty in the Workplace Regs to maintain the workplace "in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair" (hope I've remembered that right). Once they understand the absolute duty, there's really no argument.

Posted By Tom Clark As a last resort (which you seem to be on)inform the local EHO or HSE whichever is applicable and annon of course. Clearly you are very concerned with the mix of electrics and water and rightly so - do you wait until something serious happens and then have to live with that? The company insurers won't be too happy either if this has been ongoing and not attended to - will they pay out in a worse case senario? This is often the only way to get the required action.

Posted By Stuart Nagle Julie. It seems you company is bewtween a rock and hard place. Do they not have any insurance cover...???? I would suggest that the EHO and the Fire Service (fire certs) would probably serve notice stating that the building is unfit or a fire risk (in the latter case revoking any existing fire cert which would mean the premises would not be able to be used as a place of employment). and before anyone questions this, it is still a legal requirement where the requisite number of persons are employed or where persons are employed on a floor which is not the ground floor. As mentioned in the responses above, there appear to be real risks here of serious injury from contact with electricity and even in the damp conditions, fire risk could be a serios threat, without the longer term health issues. Without wishing to state the obvious, your company, regardless of their situation is not doing anyone any favours by allowing these conditions to persist, If they have no funds for repairs how will they pay the courts when they are prosecuted? I know its not easy, but action of some sort is really needed... Regards... Stuart

Posted By David J Jones Julie, I argree with Neil regarding workplace regs - Reg 5 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs 1992 states - "the workplace and the equipment, devices and systems to which this regulation applies shall be maintained (including cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair". Again, as previously stated, this is an Absolute Duty which makes no consideration for costs. Seems to me that your local HSE would be more than interested in the conditions you are having to endure, especially as their seems to be a clear danger to life, (water and electrics). A phone call to the HSE would not seem unreasonable in the circumstances. Regards David

Posted By Julie P PS employees in worst area have now also been relocated to other desks

Posted By Tom Clark Sorry I was so long in getting back on to this site. This response is aimed at Jeff who said employee when I think he meant employer. As far as stand up and be counted goes, 'Jeff' who? Stand up! Regards Tom (You know who)

Posted By Merv Newman Julie, don't bother to alert the HSE. I'm sure they follow this chat show and will be contacting mercury marine in the very near future.

Posted By owen wallace hi julie, tell me what type of roof,roof covering,and construction elements i may be able to help you. but the first thing you must do is get an electical contractor to isolate and reccomend safe use of electrics this will give you time.