[FOM]

I need some help with my work place environment. They are attempting to shove 7 people into the space more suitable for 4 people tops. We would be elbow to elbow, absolutely no desk space and monitors stacked upon monitors, etc, etc. It would make life a nightmare at work, but we are dealing with people who honestly don't care.

Anyway, we are frantically trying to locate the OSHA guidlines, etc to show that they can't legally do this - we already put up with a noise level that is unsuitable ( 90 Db for more than 8 hours a day) :evil: My ears ring at night and they have still done nothing and now this?

We are having zero luck - was hoping someone here on RTF has a OSHA background and or something similiar so we can put a stop to the madness.

Note - we found a power point presentation via google that stated 60 sq. feet minimum requirement, but it listed no references so we have nothing to back that "fact"/statement.

Thanks,

Lainee, Flash and Bullet

 

[Russ]

In California we have Cal-OSHA which is more restrictive than the feds. If you have a Colorado OSHA, I would give them a call.

Russ

 

[peter]

Lainee, if they make you mad enough, file a complaint with osha. I've learned the hard way that if a fired or disgruntled employee wants to make you miserable, they simply file a complaint with osha. osha has to investigate all complaints whether valid or not.

 

[spaightlabs]

OSHA doesn't have an ergonomic standard (it's a can of worms) so there is no Fed standard re how much space you 'must' be given to work. Curiously, if you stacked any animals in that close you could count on PETA being there - maybe give them a call??

More than likely your work comp carrier is Pinnacol - you could call them at 303.361.4000, find out who your designated safety rep is and ask them to stop by, but all they can do is give a recommendation, not a requirement...but, they can let the underwriter know what's going on which will adversely affect pricing, but probably not enough to make them change their skinflint ways...

 

[Ken Newcomb]

I agree, call OSHA, put your employer through living hell, get them fined out the arse for rediculous items that are impossible to fight, AND don't comlain when the Humane Society shows up at your door becasuse the neighbor doesn't like the fact that you use an e-collar on your dog.

OR

Exercise your right to QUIT and find another job.

Employees that use threats of OSHA or other government agencies against their employers in most cases do not appreciate their jobs.

I'm not saying their aren't some bad apples out their but MOST are doing their best.

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

I'd like to help out but after 13 years of sitting in front of a computer typing code and messages I'm so cramped up I can't type it all out due to cramping.

/Paul

 

[Raymond Little]

State Labor Board might be interested. :wink:

 

[Terry Britton]

I can check my ergonomics engineering book at home. I actually took that class, and it has paid off many times over.

Also something else to think about if you are cramped in is the HVAC requirments and ventilation of outside air. There is a min. requirement for circulating outside are into office buildings depending on occupancy due to CO2 buildup. (remember we kill our birds for hunt tests using CO2). The CO2 can be handled with lots of plants in the office space engineered to remove CO2 at night.

I have a engineering contacts in Colorado if you are interested.

 

[Terry Britton]

OSHA doesn't have an ergonomic standard (it's a can of worms) so there is no Fed standard re how much space you 'must' be given to work. Curiously, if you stacked any animals in that close you could count on PETA being there - maybe give them a call??

More than likely your work comp carrier is Pinnacol - you could call them at 303.361.4000, find out who your designated safety rep is and ask them to stop by, but all they can do is give a recommendation, not a requirement...but, they can let the underwriter know what's going on which will adversely affect pricing, but probably not enough to make them change their skinflint ways...

They may not have standards, but if engineering or engineering HVAC standards are being neglected, OSHA will listen. Most of the time, OSHA relies on the engineering standards of each engineering field. Why would OSHA want to write something that may change by the time they get it written.

 

[Josh Conrad]

OSHA might be a help, but I would look into the calling the Fire Marshall.

Every "space" is rated for # of occupants, sounds like you might be pushing it, not to mention with all the equipment in there.

Air is a huge thing. If you add 4 more computer systems and 4 more people that room will automatically be 15 deg warmer than any other room in the building. The normal A/C will not keep up more than likely.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I need some help with my work place environment. They are attempting to shove 7 people into the space more suitable for 4 people tops. We would be elbow to elbow, absolutely no desk space and monitors stacked upon monitors, etc, etc. It would make life a nightmare at work, but we are dealing with people who honestly don't care.

Anyway, we are frantically trying to locate the OSHA guidlines, etc to show that they can't legally do this - we already put up with a noise level that is unsuitable ( 90 Db for more than 8 hours a day) :evil: My ears ring at night and they have still done nothing and now this?

We are having zero luck - was hoping someone here on RTF has a OSHA background and or something similiar so we can put a stop to the madness.

Note - we found a power point presentation via google that stated 60 sq. feet minimum requirement, but it listed no references so we have nothing to back that "fact"/statement.

Thanks,

Lainee, Flash and Bullet

I've been warning you, Lainee. If you stay a member of those "little people", folks are gonna try to crowd you out.

It's about time you and David come up with a plan that will gain you some size. :wink:

UB...just filling in for that Helpy Helperson, while he's on sabbatical.

 

[FOM]

I don't plan to file an actual complaint - I can find another job, that's not the issue, I like my job, but I also like being able to get to my desk without having to make body contact with everyone in the room if you know what I mean. :evil:

Common sense has to rule and they just need some in this case and we are trying to provide some insight - heck I told them to just wheel 7 chairs into the room and they will see with their own eyes that it is a stupid plan.

Get this the reason we are being crammed into one room is cause they are putting in a HVAC for the computers.....more noise also for us to deal with, too?!?!

Was hoping to find something that will help them make a good decision vs. a retarded one.

FOM

 

[Hew]

Also something else to think about if you are cramped in is the HVAC requirments and ventilation of outside air. There is a min. requirement for circulating outside are into office buildings depending on occupancy due to CO2 buildup.

You're right...the CO2 levels in a space holding more people than was designed will likely exceed ASHRAE (a mechanical engineerining association whose recommendations are often incorporated into building codes)-recommended levels. But CO2 is measured because it is a pretty good indicator of the ventilation (amount of fresh air) within a particular space; not because CO2 is harmful (at very high levels...WAY beyond what you'd see in an office environment, CO2 can be dangerous as it displaces oxygen). High levels of CO2 would indicate poor ventilation, and with poor ventilation you can get odors, stale air, high temperatures, mold, people spreading viruses, etc. It would be darn near impossible for enough people to be jammed into one room to produce CO2 levels that would exceed OSHA thresholds...which are geared to industrial applications.

I'd go with the noise angle with OSHA...if you're at 90 db continuously over an 8 hr. day you may be exceeding OSHA's permissible exposure limit for noise.

I presume you've exhausted all other options (letters to the boss/owners, formal internal complaints, etc) because calling OSHA is a pretty drastic step. They're understaffed and typically busy investigating situations/complaints that could potentially cost somebody their life or limb without OSHA's attention to the matter. I'm not saying your hearing or well-being is less important than somebody elses, and I don't mean to come off as a Jiminy Cricket, but calling OSHA about a too-crowded office is the equivilent of calling 911 because your cat's stuck on the roof.

 

[zoomngoldens]

Colorado does not have a state-equivalent OSHA so you would be under the federal statute/regs. OSHA does have some info on computer work stations but it is pretty slim. http://www.osha.gov/html/a-z-index.html Scroll down to C and there are a couple links under computer. The noise angle may be your best bet for getting changes made.

If you work at a small business, CSU does OSHA consultations for free. It is a pretty good deal if your employer is willing to bring them in.
http://www.bernardino.colostate.edu/public/

Deb

 

[FOM]

I do not plan to file a complaint with OSHA, just trying to give the people making the decisions some things to consider. We are in a multi company environment in agovernment building, we (the low-life worker bees) have tried to go through our individual companies to ask for help with the situation, with no resolution - you got to realize people don't care if it doesn't effect them.

The people making the decisions can be pursuded to reconsider the current plan if we can provide "facts" vs. just bitching - we are limited in the time window to get our side of the story heard.....but we are trying.

They are fully aware of the noise issue - been in the environment for a year and they keep promising to take care of it :roll:

I think they will listen when one of us go bonkers with the tight quarters....

FOM

 

[MooseGooser]

Lainee

I stand within 10 feet of four Prototrac milling machines running constantly, maching tool steel at 20 inches per minute. Plus the one I run.

Across the Isle is a CNC Lathe, High RPM motor running continuously also.

I am required by OSHA to wear Ear Plugs and Muffs! ALL DAY!!!

Be careful who you sick on your employer

A little person with Muffs on is scary! :lol:

Gooser

 

[solo.lab]

I hope your employers don't just issue you a pair of ear plugs...

 

[FOM]

I hope your employers don't just issue you a pair of ear plugs...

They have already ordered some.... :roll:

FOM

 

[spaightlabs]

hearing protection and a fan oughta gitterdone.

Have you considered that you might unwittingly be part of a new reality show? Hidden cameras and 7 workers in a space fot for 2? Sounds like a cross between survivor and big brother...

 

[DuckTruk]

I own a Commercial Design-Build Construction company in Tennessee. There is not a specific item in the International Building Code that covers how many people can work in a space, it does however address the number of exits required per person in the space (the more people, the more exits required), the number of "air exchanges" per hour (as mentioned before).

Probably the best way to approach it is to let them know that you could contact the fire marshall for a surprise compliance inspection along with the building official. If its just the building official, he will just say it is an existing condition and will "grandfather" it in. Most fire marshall's realy "get their rocks off" on doing these types of inspections. You can then follow up with the "air exchange" card.

The bottom line on the air exchanges is that if there is not enough fresh air introduced into the space, it becomes saturated with CO2 (in extreme cases). But what it will definetely do is cause the air quality to drop and cause mold and mildew to form in the ducts, ceiling tiles, and sheetrock. Prolonged exposure to these items has proven to cause respiratory distress, long term damage, and / or cancer.

If I could reference an electronic copy of the 2006 International Building Code, I would. All I gots is the paper form......