You do not want to go to work and come home less safe than before you went, yet this could be happening to you. Read on to learn about five ways your employer could be keeping you in an unsafe work environment, then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation if you suspect your employer or the building owner is being negligent.
- Installing Ineffective Air Systems You may think of the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems in your office as being there to make you comfortable but they could actually be harming you. The EPA found that contaminated air filters, ventilation systems that were poorly designed, and outdoor air pollutants that easily filtered through the HVAC system were large contributors to respiratory issues within office buildings.
- Drywall with Serious Health Effects Most drywall contains formaldehyde, a commercial chemical preservative. If you are working in an office that has recently been remodeled, new panes of drywall can cause sore throats, skin irritation, headaches, and nosebleeds.
- The Lighting May Be Making You Lightheaded Many of today’s offices do not have nearly enough natural light – and some have no natural light at all. Instead, offices are lit by fluorescent bulbs. These are great for energy efficiency but they can cause a disorder known as Irlen syndrome. It involves light sensitivity that results in the brain’s normal processing functions to be disrupted. Computer screens can cause it too. Consequences can include fatigue, low motivation, hard time sitting still, and poor comprehension.
- Dangerous Carpet Carpet can contain formaldehyde for the same reason drywall does – to preserve it. However, carpet can be even worse because it may also contain additional volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs. Examples include benzene and perchloroethylene. This can be an issue if the carpet has been recently installed in your office. Symptoms can include eye irritation, headaches, and even nausea.
- An Unsafe Refrigerator Most offices have a communal fridge in which everyone can put their lunches, snacks, and other foods. If that fridge is not cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis, it can be a home for airborne illnesses that can contaminate all the food in the fridge.
Many of the above are issues that your employer may not know are an issue. However, if your employer knows that something they are doing is dangerous – or they know they are not taking steps they should keep you safe – they could be held accountable via personal injury claim. We invite you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you would like a free legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
