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I work in an overcrowded office with no windows facing outside. There is very little ventilation and I often have a headache at the end of each day. I have raised this issue with my managers, who say there is nothing they can do about it. I thought there were health and safety laws on workspace and ventilation?

* You are right, there are workspace laws. Our panellist from the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association quotes regulation 6.1 of the 1992 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992:

"Effective and suitable provision shall be made to ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air."

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The panellist has come across this problem in the past.

"Normally, however, rooms such as the one described are used only for short-duration activities, such as microscope use, due to the build-up of heat and stale air. It would not be unreasonable to ask personnel to work in such a room for short periods but some sort of ventilation system would need to be installed if used for any longer," he explains.

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He advises that all members of staff keep a log, including readings on temperature and humidity, and record any ill health. "This would show if only one individual is suffering or whether everyone is affected.

"The outcome of the log would allow the employer to make a judgement on what course of action is reasonable, that is to say, offer to move one person, install ventilation if everyone thinks it is a problem or not use the room as an office," he says.

* Our Natfhe panellist quotes the same regulation, and adds: "Insufficient fresh air can lead to tiredness, lethargy, headaches, dry and itchy skin and eye irritation. The fresh air supply rate to the workplace should not fall below 5l to 8l per second, per occupant.

"Several factors need to be taken into account when deciding the appropriate rate for the workplace, including the amount of floor space available per occupant, the work activity and proximity to equipment."

He also points to number 10 of the workplace regulations. This states that "rooms where persons work should have sufficient floor area, height and unoccupied space for the purposes of health, safety and welfare".

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Regulation 10 further states that the total volume of the room divided by the number of people working in it should be at least 11m3. (All or part of a room with a ceiling 3m high or over is counted as 3m.)

* The Association of University Teachers panellist suggests taking the following course of action: "Request that your employer, probably through a health and safety representative or safety committee undertake a risk assessment of your office, looking specifically at space, access, exits and ventilation. Ensure that you see a copy of that assessment again, probably via your health and safety rep.

"If your employer does not act on the assessment, or you are not satisfied with its conclusion, you can ask that a further assessment is undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive to determine whether the conditions comply with the regulations. If, in the view of the HSE they do not, the HSE can take measures to enforce compliance with the regulations."

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He adds: "You should also attend your occupational health department to report the symptoms you are suffering and your view that they are due to your working environment."

* The panellist from Research Councils UK says: "If you hold a research council grant, the terms and conditions state: 'The research organisation is responsible for ensuring that a safe working environment is provided for all individuals associated with a research project."

He adds: "Although, with tongue firmly in cheek, I might suggest a research proposal on the effects of such deprivation..."

This advice panel includes the Association of University Teachers, Natfhe, the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, Research Councils UK and Rachel Flecker, an academic who sits on Bristol University's contract research working party. Send questions to advicepanel@thes.co.uk

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