Experts will be engaged to assess the health hazards at the planning authority’s offices in Hexagon House in Marsa before employees are allowed to return to the building that has been plagued by foul smells.

The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the union of professional employees said agreement was reached with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on a risk assessment and air quality study at the office block.

The two unions on Monday ordered employees not to report for work at the building after 33 employees were certified as having health problems caused by noxious fumes.

The Hexagon House area is notorious for the strong smell of fuel that occasionally fills the air. Mepa bought the office block, which previously belonged to HSBC, in 2008.

The unions said yesterday’s meeting with Mepa was fruitful and management acknowledged there was an environmental concern affecting the health of employees.

“Management promised to do their best to identify the source of the problem and tackle the issue at source,” the unions said.

The environmental experts from the University of Malta, commissioned by Mepa to carry out the studies, will submit a method statement by tomorrow. The studies will have to identify whether there are any risks, both in the short- and the long-term for the health of the employees that work in Hexagon House.