The term sick building syndrome (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.  Symptoms may include dry/itchy skin, dry eyes/nose/throat, stuffy nose, headaches and lethargy and the main feature is that the symptoms worsen with time spent in the building and disappear when away from the building.  It should not be confused with specific building related illness such as Legionnaires Disease or the effects of exposure to particular toxic substances.

Poor air quality is not only bad for individuals in your employment but is also bad for your business, with a possible significant rise in sick absences.  You have general duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act and Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations but other regulations, which apply in this instance, include The Workplace (Health Safety & Welfare) Regulations, which deals with specific problems relating to ventilation, temperature, lighting and cleanliness.

The services provided by Risk Management Consultants include:

Ø     General monitoring of indoor air quality to determine whether the concentrations of substances measured are within legislative and advisory limits.

Ø      Investigations for specific air quality issues