Working conditions.....anything that can be done?

I work in a "sales" like office job.
I started in July '07. the "room" i worked it was always going from hot to cold. It had a 'warehouse' type feel to it and the venting is SO LOUD and the lighting is like having no lights at all.
so i started getting headaches and they gradually got worse. So bad, I missed a day of work and went to the doctor. He took a ct scan and other tests, nothing found. This HORRIBLE headache lasted a week and a half.
I got to move to another part of the building where its well lighted and temp stays the same more.
My headache went away within a week or 2.
I'm thinking my headache was from the working conditions.
So NOW i have to go back to the "warehouse" like spot.
Is there anything LEGALLY I can do? Any laws that would help me?
I know I could easily go to the doc and they would probaly agree with it being from my working conditions as they went away and haven't had one since and before working there and nothing was found in tests.
Thank you!!!
Additional Details
i'm not looking to sue, just what can be done about it. I would never sue for this. I just thought there was a law agasint bad working conditions.
the headache lasted for 3 weeks and it was at a point i thought i was dying. (i went many times because i thought my head was cracking apart) it went away when i finally moved to another part of the building.

bethanne

Have you tried talking to your supervisor and asking if your work area can be changed to another part of the buiding? There are several steps that you need to take before you head towards legal avenues. If the area you are in goes from hot to cold and there are loud vents, then perhaps a simple change to an area away from the vents (cycle on and off which could be causing not only the temp changes, but dust/mold from the HVAC units) are all that are needed.

drtestprep

There are a host of laws that can help you. Go to your state employment office and talk to someone there. There are OSHA laws that protect every worker from unsafe, unhealthy, and dangerous conditions. The other employees are just letting the boss get away with it because they are afraid of losing their jobs--but a person cannot be fired for complaining about health hazards--indeed, you can SUE your employer because of them. Go there tomorrow!

leysarob

You can check on the OSHA rules for your state, for your profession to see if all safety standards are being met.

cheruvima

I went to the OSHA website you mentioned, and found a toll free number on it you can call. The terminology they used is unclear at best and arguable. It says that the work environment has to have recognized health and safty problems.... You need to clarify with them what "recognized" health and safety hazards they mean. Changing temperatures might not fill the bill for an OSHA violation, also poor lighting or loud noise might not either. There are simple solutions to those problems; you've mentioned them and other answerers have also. I take a jacket to work with me and wear layers. When it's too hot, I take a layer off and try to get in front of a fan or AC. When it's too cold at work, I've brought a jacket to put on. Annoying--yes, health hazard--no. I think someone suggested you buy a lamp and take it to work. I've done that, and guess what, the problem was solved. You might even be able to claim it as a tax deduction, but don't quote me on that because I'm not sure. If you really can't stand the noise, in order to claim an unsafe work environment you'll probably have to prove unhealthy decibel level. Are you sure that's it, or is it just an annoying level to you. You might just have to put up with it, because no company will change the whole venting system because one person is annoyed with it. Would you if you owned a company? I don't think so . The fact that you've been to a doctor and had a CT scan which was negative does not bode well for you. The doctor can say whatever he wants, but if you do sue or try to claim worker's comp, believe me, they'll have their own doctors to counter your doctor's belief that your headaches are from your work envirnment--since there's no clinical evidence (remember negative CT scan). If you don't like your environment you really ough to have a serious discussion with your supervisor about how difficult working there is for you and how you don't like various aspects of your job and where you work. If they want to keep you, maybe they'll work something out for you to be happier, but you should be willing to do your part. Your employer is not your parent--they don't have to provide for all your comfort needs--just your basic safety and freedom from "recognized" health hazards. It is not a recognized health hazard that the temperature changes, or that you have not enough light for your tastes, or you don't like the noise. Those are personal preferences on your part. They might really make your head hurt but OSHA and laws are for the masses, not usually for an individual case with individual preferences. If it bothers you that much, you can always change jobs, too. Take some responsibility for yourself and see what happens.

Freddi

Kinda looks like you answered your own question with the web site you or someone found for you. Talking to your surpervisor and or owner could help. Did you report the doctors visit and tests to workers compensation? You might want to do this IF you think it is work related. As a business owner and supervisor I want all my employees to have a pleasant work place. I try to provide for them the best I can. What I do not appreciate is someone who has a pre-existing condition trying to pilfer my w/c account. So if it is truly work related report it to w/c. If it is pre-existing please quit trying to pilfer from someones w/c account. Good Luck.

Expert Realtor

Ok, I think you are exaggerating and starting to see $$ signs in your eyes when you have NO CASE.

So you get a headache that lasts a few days. Big deal. If you made SEVERAL trips to the doctor over a few months and actually got the doctor to say that it is your WORK ENVIRONMENT that was causing them, you STILL wouldn't have a case...they would just move you.

Get ear plugs...like that kind that is used in a firing range.

Bring a lamp from home (Walmart $10), and a sweater.

See how easy that is to fix.

If you start screaming legalities at work, I hope your resume is up-to-date b/c you'll soon be looking for another job.

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