OLEAN, N.Y. — Those working at the Social Security office in downtown Olean continue to experience the same medical conditions as they did in late September while at work, a union official has reported.
“Employees have the same medical issues — strong outbreaks of hives and respiratory issues,” said Shawn Halloran, executive vice president of The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3342, which represents the dozen Social Security employees at the Olean office. “Our concern is for the employees who have to continue working there every day and, of course, the members of the public who go in there every day.”
The facility in Blue Bird Square on North Union Street closed abruptly Sept. 22 for nine days after several employees developed rashes and hives. Social Security officials said none of those affected displayed another other serious conditions.
Officials at Park Centre Development, which owns the building and is headquartered nearby, said those working in offices neighboring the Social Security location have not reported experiencing similar symptoms.
An industrial hygienist went through the Social Security office two days after it closed and took samples to determine what caused the reaction.
The inspection did uncover some minor issues, such as exposed insulation in a utility closet and some excess equipment gathering dust. In addition, the inspector recommended the office’s heating and cooling system be adjusted to ensure its vents were functioning properly.
Park Centre had the facility thoroughly cleaned before it reopened Oct. 1.
“Although we have found no identifiable cause for these health issues, (the Social Security Administration) is committed to working with GSA (General Services Administration) and the landlord to provide a safe, healthy environment for our employees and our visitors in Olean,” said John Shallman, a Social Security spokesperson.
In the nearly four months since the office reopened, Halloran has received calls almost weekly from office employees reporting the recurrence of hives and rashes. He added that officers with a private firm who provide security at the office have also experienced the same symptoms.
“It seems that it really is something in the building,” Halloran said. “When the (employees) aren’t there, they report nothing, no symptoms or anything.”
Halloran has continued to reach out to Social Security officials, as well as Congressman Tom Reed’s office, about the issue as employee reports come in.
“There’s only so much they can tell us because of red tape, but they are keeping us as up to date as possible. We share as much information with them as we’ve been able to, and we’ve encouraged the employees to file for worker’s comp and submit their medical records to Social Security’s medical staff at its headquarters in Baltimore,” he said. “But, unfortunately, in the meantime the employees are left to suffer until there is some kind of resolve. At this point, we’re really not sure what is going to be done.”
Park Centre has been kept abreast of the situation since Oct. 1 and has had the office space inspected again, said Vicki Blessing, the real estate firm’s vice president.
“We’ve been talking with GSA and Social Security right along,” Blessing said. “We’ve also had the (office) tested several times and cleaned, and none of the tests have come up with anything.”
Park Centre is working with GSA to find a new location for the local Social Security office. Blessing and Shallman did not indicate how soon a move could occur.
“I do think everyone working on this is looking for the same outcome,” Halloran said. “But for us, the bottom line is that something needs to be fixed or change soon.”
