SBS has been recognised as a condition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1982, and WHO now estimates that 30 per cent of the buildings in the world have something wrong with them. Research in the UK suggests that as many as four out of ten workers could be SBS sufferers.
"Modern building materials, heat conservation techniques and electricity offer many benefits for today's workplace, but in some cases their impact on the working environment can be a negative one," says Chris Booth, managing director of Overbury. "The symptoms caused by SBS can have a real impact on staff motivation and performance, causing big problems for employers - particularly at this time of year when workers are spending long days cooped up in stuffy offices."
"People who feel unwell at work could be suffering from SBS which is caused by things like poor air circulation, high levels of noise, or dust fibres and particles in the atmosphere," continues Booth. "Symptoms such as a sore throat, headache or difficulty in concentrating could easily be caused by more than just a reluctance to be at work. If symptoms are being experienced by workers whilst in the same office or building, but not outside of it, the chances are that SBS may be to blame."
In the UK every year, there are 2.2 million recorded cases of ill health attributable to poor working conditions. This costs Britain’s employers £6.5 billion. The issue of SBS is clearly central to this and there are a number of ways an environment can be improved to increase staff morale and productivity.
Overbury the fit out and refurbishment specialist offers the following advice to help employers address SBS in the workplace and improve the health and general well-being of their staff.
