While at work today, everyone was complaining of a strong, fowl smell throughout the 3 story building. nobody could pinpoint the source of the pungent aroma, but it was causing headaches and dizziness for everyone.
I commented on the fact that there was some work being done on the road in front of the building, so one of the therapists went outside to see if that was the cause of the odor. Sure enough, the city was puting new piping in under the road, and unbeknownst to them (and us!) an uncapped sewer line was emitting sewer gas right into our building! It was expelling into our space through toilets, urinals, and sinks. (of which we have many!)
The city workers advised us to plug all the drains in the building and open all the windows. Unfortunalty, there is no possible way to plug the drains without clogging them up, and being a medical facility, people need to have constant access to hand washing. We also have several showers because there is a fitness center located in the building as well, and we couldn’t plug those up either.
We managed to open some of the windows, but seeing as how this is a very VERY old converted school, many of the windows are no longer in working order. Supervisors sent home all of the pregnant employees and advised the rest of us to take frequent breaks and walk around outside to get fresh air.
By the end of my 6 hours shift, I was dizzy, nauseated, and had a screaming headache. And I was left to wonder why and how the city was doing this hazardous work without notifying the hospital and our building. It is my understanding that when something like this is being done, the city must notify anyone who may be affected ahead of time, not after we’ve all be exposed to toxic gases for several hours.
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