Sick building syndrome
Advice for employees
If you think your working environment is making you ill, talk to your colleagues to see whether they have similar symptoms.
If SBS appears to be a workplace issue, you should raise it with your line manager. They'll be able to investigate the matter further with the help of your health and safety representative. Your employer has a duty of care to investigate the problem. For further advice, your employer should have access to an occupational health service.
The environmental health services of your local authority or your local Health and Safety Executive (HSE) office may also be able to provide help and advice about how to deal with SBS.
Visit GOV.UK to find your local authority . To find your local HSE office you can call the HSE's helpline number on 0845 345 0055 (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm).
Visit your GP if you have symptoms of SBS that you're particularly concerned about.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Definition
Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a poorly understood phenomenon where people have symptoms related to a certain building, most often a workplace.
SBS symptoms
The symptoms of SBS may include: Headaches and dizziness nausea (feeling sick) aches and pains fatigue (extreme tiredness) poorconcentration shortness of breath or chest tightness eye and throat irri
Who's affected by SBS?
Anyone can be affected by SBS, but office workers in modern buildings without opening windows and with mechanical ventilation or air conditioning systems are most at risk. The likelihood of experienci
SBS environments
SBS seems to be associated with certain types of buildings. Most cases occur in open plan offices, butpeople sometimes develop the symptoms while in other buildings that are occupied by lots of people
Advice for employees
If you think your working environment is making you ill, talk to your colleagues to see whether they have similar symptoms. If SBS appears to be a workplace issue, you should raise it with your line m
Employers responsibilities
The HSE recommends that employers take the steps outlined below to investigate the possible causes of SBS. Carry out an employee survey to find out whethersymptoms are occurring more oftenthan expect
Workplace health
There are a number of measures you can take at work to help prevent the symptoms of sick building syndrome. For example, you can: open windows to avoid getting too hot organise and prioritise your wo
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