A “sincere apology” was today issued to Government staff and clients who had to be evacuated from Global House on Thursday morning.

Minister of Public Works Patricia Gordon-Pamplin told the House of Assembly that the ministry and the Department of Public Lands and Buildings were sorry for “the inconvenience and anxiety caused”.

Several employees and clients were asked to leave the building amid “significant vibrations and loud knocking noises”, found to be coming from a faulty air conditioner on the northern end of the roof.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin said: “The Ministry of Public Works’ technical officers and engineers were immediately on the scene to carry out investigations on the third and fourth floors.

“On closer inspection of the unit, it was determined a fan blade, a part of the motor, had broken off and caused the unit to operate in an unbalanced manner.

“The unit, which was subsequently shut down by the air-conditioning technicians, sits on a metal frame that is bolted directly to the concrete roof deck and, consequently, the vibrations and noise transferred from the unit through to the building’s steel framing.

“This led to some of occupants of the building experiencing more vibrations and noises than others in the offices, and resulted in understandable anxiety.”

The minister said some staff were wary of returning to the building because the unit had to be turned off.

She said: “Concern was expressed regarding the shutting down of the air-conditioning unit and its impact on the supply of fresh air delivery and exchange to the building. “Staff were advised that only the fourth floor would be impacted. Staff from the fourth floor were advised to leave their office doors ajar so that the air can circulate through the floor space to help keep conditioned air at a comfortable level while the buildings team undertakes the repairs to the air-conditioning unit.

“Some staff were reluctant to return to the building without having first spoken with their Union representative and receiving written notice that it was safe to enter the building. Within short order, Mr Ed Ball, general secretary of the BPSU, was on site. Simultaneously, the notification, initiated by the technical officers after their assessment, was disseminated by DCI and received by staff. These actions together helped to quell the concerns, and all staff returned to work.

“The Ministry would also like to take this opportunity convey its appreciation to Mr Ball and the DCI for their quick response, and, in advance, to the occupants of Global House for their understanding while work is undertaken to repair the air-conditioning system as quickly as possible.”