Rdu tower controller reported that the windows in the cab were dirty and needed cleaning. Controller...

Narrative:

I was working local control. I was reading the RVR because the visibility looked to be around 1 mile. Around the time I got off position I realized that the ATIS had the visibility at 7. A few minutes later an aircraft reported the airport in site 13 miles away. Visibility still looked to be about a mile.it took a moment; but I realized the windows in the tower were so dirty and covered in what appeared to be some dirt like film that it was dangerously restricting visibility. Operations was called; we requested that they clean the windows; they replied that; 'it's not our job.' the supervisor called operations; same response. The issue of cleanliness has been a problem for a while in this facility; this is the first time I have experienced it affecting the safety of the flying public; and no one caring.I guess the solution is simple; have someone clean the windows. I would happily spend my break going out on the catwalk and cleaning them; but I have been instructed that I am not qualified to clean them; that it would be unsafe for me to be out there with no training. I do agree with that; that I am not the best person to clean them; but when tower visibility is restricted from the 13 miles that it should be; to the 1 it was; because of such a simple issue; it's a problem.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: RDU Tower Controller reported that the windows in the cab were dirty and needed cleaning. Controller reported that it appeared the visibility was one mile when the ATIS reported it at 7 miles.

Narrative: I was working Local control. I was reading the RVR because the visibility looked to be around 1 mile. Around the time I got off position I realized that the ATIS had the visibility at 7. A few minutes later an aircraft reported the airport in site 13 miles away. Visibility still looked to be about a mile.It took a moment; but I realized the windows in the tower were so dirty and covered in what appeared to be some dirt like film that it was dangerously restricting visibility. Operations was called; we requested that they clean the windows; they replied that; 'it's not our job.' The supervisor called Operations; same response. The issue of cleanliness has been a problem for a while in this facility; this is the first time I have experienced it affecting the safety of the flying public; and no one caring.I guess the solution is simple; have someone clean the windows. I would happily spend my break going out on the catwalk and cleaning them; but I have been instructed that I am not qualified to clean them; that it would be unsafe for me to be out there with no training. I do agree with that; that I am not the best person to clean them; but when tower visibility is restricted from the 13 miles that it should be; to the 1 it was; because of such a simple issue; it's a problem.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1359930
Time
Date	201606
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	RDU.Airport
State Reference	NC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	No Aircraft
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 7
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Rdu tower controller reported that the windows in the cab were dirty and needed cleaning. Controller reported that it appeared the visibility was one mile when the ATIS reported it at 7 miles.