A report from the Occupational Risk Prevention Service of the Palma City Council detects temperatures of up to 33 degrees, poor ventilation, and legionella risk at the Les Meravelles police station, which has been closed for days.
The Occupational Risk Prevention Service of the Palma City Council has confirmed serious working conditions at the Local Police station of Les Meravelles, in Platja de Palma. The report, prepared following an inspection on July 17, reveals temperatures of up to 33 degrees, poor ventilation, structural problems, and a potential risk of legionella. The document contrasts with statements from the Councillor for Citizen Security, Llorenç Bauzá, who last week downplayed the issues, attributing them to an air conditioning failure.
The technicians applied a risk scale that classifies deficiencies as trivial, tolerable, moderate, important, or intolerable. Several of the problems detected were classified as 'important', which, according to the scale itself, implies that work should not commence until the danger has been reduced, and if the activity is already underway, it must be urgently corrected.
One of the most critical situations was located in the basement, used as a changing room and rest area. There, temperatures were measured between 31 and 33 degrees, relative humidity from 71 to 74%, and carbon dioxide concentrations between 1,000 and 1,050 parts per million. Regulations set a maximum of 27 degrees for sedentary work and consider CO₂ levels above 800 or 1,000 ppm to indicate poor ventilation. The report classifies this situation as an important risk with a high probability of harm.
On the ground floor, designated for office use, temperatures ranged from 30 to 32 degrees. The main air conditioning unit was broken and had been replaced by two portable units, which created new hazards. Condensed water was drained through pipes into buckets that, according to workers, overflowed at times. On one occasion, water came into contact with a power strip and caused a short circuit. Additionally, the pipes from the units protruded through partially open windows, which were improvisedly sealed with bags, allowing access from the outside and compromising the security of a police facility, according to Prevention.
The report also includes a moderate risk of exposure to biological contaminants related to legionella. Although the bacteria has not been detected in the facilities, it is warned that it can proliferate in stagnant water, poorly maintained installations, and temperatures between 20 and 50 degrees, especially between 35 and 37. Prevention demands the implementation of a specific control plan, elimination of dirty areas and stagnation, temperature control of water, disinfection of facilities, and reduction of aerosol emissions.
The officers also did not have regular access to drinking water, as the osmosis unit was broken. The deficiencies have led to the closure of the police station and the temporary relocation of officers. The City Council will install portable cabins on Avenida de América, equipped with air conditioning and basic services, while deciding how to rehabilitate the facilities.
The case has generated discontent among officers, who report having worked for months under unsanitary conditions. The municipal opposition has criticized the management of the governing team and demanded accountability. For his part, Councillor Bauzá defended that action was taken swiftly once the technical reports were known, although the Prevention document contradicts his initial version.
The Les Meravelles police station serves the tourist area of Platja de Palma, one of the busiest on the island. The situation has highlighted the shortcomings of police infrastructure in the municipality, where numerous officers are concentrated during the high season. The City Council expects the portable cabins to be operational in the coming days while a permanent solution for the building is studied.
Local residents and merchants have expressed concern for safety, although municipal sources assure that the relocation will not affect service. The Local Police maintains its presence on the streets, and the provisional cabins will meet the basic needs of the officers.
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