Am I being unreasonable? what can I do?

dellas1979

hi all,
I have a little problem at work at the moment which is worrying me...
They recently installed a new printer/copier at work (one of those big unit looking ones) and its right behind me - the noise coming out of it is unreal - its really really loud - when people are printing/copying to it, my ears are popping and I left Friday with a headache.
So I came into work today and same thing starts happening (right now my right ear still doesnt feel right) and I say it to my boss in my office, who basically gets annoyed with me, says she will ask IT to move it but there is no where else to move it (I think there is if they moved a few things around) and I possibly just have to put up with it.
Anyone any advice? I dont think I should have to put up with the noise of it for 7/8 hours a day. No one else cares in the office because it not affecting them - Im looking like a whinger.

matt70iu

Hi,

No don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I reckon it all depends on how you approach it though. If you were to say to you were to say to your boss something like: "That photocopier is really annoying me, would you mind moving it?" you're probably not going to get the response you're looking for.

On the other hand if you were to say to them: " I don't mean to be a pain but the noise from that photocopier is hindering me from doing my job properly". You may get a better response, mainly because the company should realize it affecting you productivity and therefore them as a whole and will be more likely to act.

Hope this helps

Matt

Eoin

Would it be impractical for you to wear noise cancelling headphones or something similar, if you do end up being stuck by the machine?

my ears are popping and I left Friday with a headache.

If it's doing that to you, then I don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

Cuddlesworth

dellas1979 wrote: »

my ears are popping and I left Friday with a headache.

Have you considered going to the Doctor to find out what is causing this condition? All MFD devices are rated to a acceptable sound level for a office environment. Most company's place them away from users or even in separate rooms, but it is not a health and safety requirement to do so.

Mrs OBumble

You could try asking your manager if they have a preferred audiologist for you to get baseline hearing test taken.

Because of course if your hearing degrades because of this situation, your employer will be liable for the compensation payment.

....

This can be a cute line, but I've seen someone use it successfully.

dellas1979

Thanks guys.
"All MFD devices are rated to a acceptable sound level for a office environment."
This cant be true. Not if you heard this machine. Ive worked in offices all my life and never experienced. It is right behind my head. Maybe the machine would be fine and the above true if my head were so near - hence why it doesnt bother the other people in the office.
No I cant wear any type of headphones.
Spoke to manager again today and apparently they will "try" do something about it next week - am not going to hold my breath. But I will 100% not get stuck with this machine/situation.
I am 30 years old and value my hearing and kinda need it for the next 50+ years.
And Ive never had a problem with my hearing before.
Has anyone ever experienced this in the workplace?

bassey

If it really is very loud you could look up the HSA's website and see if it's above the hazardous noise level, the whole health and saftey route would be the best way to play it with your manager I would imagine, most companies are terrified of breaking these rules.

axel rose

Definately not being unreasonable.

However similar to matt, I would advise you to approach your manager with the solution rather than the problem.

• Its too loud for me to work but if we............ Mr manager could you stay back sometime this week and help me move.......?