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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to suggest my work is poisoning me?

48 replies

SongforSal · 22/02/2017 16:29

Don't want to dripfeed. Took on a 'Temp' job a few months back which involves me using a toxic chemical continuously on a daily basis. I always wear gloves, and a coat, however it is inevitable that the chemical gets on my skin a few dozen times a day (I wash it off immediately.)

I am in general good health, however. Twice at work the room has span, resulting in me having to crouch on the floor with my head between my legs. I have had an unprecedented amount of 'waves' of nausea and headaches during the working day and generally feeling unwell.

I have just researched the chemical on the internet.....and it states that humans who regularly come into contact with the chemical experience the symptoms I have stated above, plus a plethora of other rather worrying side effects listed in long term exposure.

Obviously. I need another job! Aibu to speak to my boss. Of course this cant carry on, the other side is, as a 'temp' he will 100% get rid of me immediately if I do.....

OP posts:

DoItTooJulia · 22/02/2017 17:41

No wonder they use temps.

Something really isn't right here-and you know it. Can you get another (different) temp job?

Bettyspants · 22/02/2017 17:45

This is crazy. As others have said if your having a toxic chemical on your skin a few times a day then there's completely inadequate safety plus training in place. You need to see your GP and ensure you take the chemical details so they can look it up on toxbase .

Bunnyfuller · 23/02/2017 00:38

Missing point of thread, but if you feel faint/dizzy the last thing you should do is crunch yourself up and stick your head between your legs. Sit down, preferably out of the room and open your diaphragm as otherwise you're actually restricting your oxygen intake more!

Head between legs for fainting is an old rives tale!

Get out of there!

Pineappletastic · 23/02/2017 09:19

I don't understand how it's inevitable it gets on your skin unless it's your job to put in on your skin. Also, if it's vapourising you need to be either using an extraction hood/fume cupboard or wearing eye protection and a face mask/powered respirator with charcoal filters.

I say this as someone who has worked with chemicals and allergens requiring a full change of clothes, and head to toe PPE. If it is getting on your skin you are not wearing enough kit.

Expatosaurus · 23/02/2017 09:23

however it is inevitable that the chemical gets on my skin a few dozen times a day

I don't believe this for one second. It is absolutely not inevitable. You are not following the correct safety procedures or wearing the correct kit. It also sounds like you're not using the correct equipment, fume hood, glove box etc.

kissmethere · 23/02/2017 09:33

If you use chemicals a mask and goggles should be provided as well as gloves. Definitely a mask as it sounds like you're inhaling the chemical. Do you have these things. I used to work with chemicals and I got stomach cramps every time. I realised it was the chemicals I used a mask which helped. The company hadn't provided one initially it was colleague who pointed out I should have been given one.

Birdsbeesandtrees · 23/02/2017 09:55

however it is inevitable that the chemical gets on my skin a few dozen times a day

I'm sorry but no. This is a huge health and safety risk and should not be happening at all let alone being inevitable.

If it is inevitable then the work should not be carried out until a better method had been found.

I have worked in labs and construction sites involving some seriously nasty chemicals and his is unacceptable.

What does the risk assessment say ? There must be one.

Birdsbeesandtrees · 23/02/2017 09:57

A lab I used to work in had to stop doing a particular procedure completely - involving acid as there were too many incidents where people were burned.

It was assessed and found that it could not be completed with little to no risk so it was ceased. Presumably at ££ to the company too.

PootlewasthebestFlump · 23/02/2017 10:07

I had a temp job packing vegetables once. We had to wear gloves with certain ones, especially lettuce, as they were sprayed with chemicals which irritated the skin.

Is it something like this?

PootlewasthebestFlump · 23/02/2017 10:08

Oh yeah, and wash your vegetables, people. You don't know where they've been...

Sunnysky2016 · 23/02/2017 10:29

You need to look at the organisations policies and procedures, and risk assessments. You need to ensure that you are following all guidance in the above. Is there any other PPE that you are required to wear? Again what does the risk assessments say?

Birdsbeesandtrees · 23/02/2017 17:55

Did you manage to get hold of the risk assessment ?

Original poster

SongforSal · 23/02/2017 18:54

I'm not in a 'lab' environment as such. Don't mean to be an arse, but I can't really elaborate more than that. The chemical is Cypermethrin, I checked it out on Wikipedia just to see if there was a correlation to why I keep feeling ill. As other posters have said, could be a coincidence. A risk assessment is a good idea, the relevant person wasn't about today to speak to. I will grab him tomorrow. Thanks all x

OP posts:

Expatosaurus · 23/02/2017 19:02

Don't know what concentrations you're exposed to but this is from the msds.

Aibu to suggest my work is poisoning me?

CrochetQueenfromCoventry · 23/02/2017 19:03

Ask for the COSHH data for the chemical you are using. Every company should comply with COSHH (Control of substances hazardous to health) regulations for chemicals.
It should state in detail how the chemical should be handled and what Protective clothing you should be wearing. This information needs to he made available to all employees.

Original poster

SongforSal · 23/02/2017 19:06

Shit. Thanks Expatosaurus. I'm going to investigate the bastard out of this tomorrow at work!!

OP posts:

Expatosaurus · 23/02/2017 19:10

Search msds (material safety data sheet) cypermethrin, it brings several up. You might find the one you actually use.

RiversrunWoodville · 23/02/2017 19:12

Are you in an agricultural situation op? If so your employer should have carried out the appropriate COSHH and is legally obligated to provide you with appropriate PPE (not just gloves and suits but a mask to the appropriate grade not just a dust mask type). However they are also meant to offer you regular medical checks to make sure there are no issues

Original poster

SongforSal · 23/02/2017 20:34

Non agricultural RiversRun. I'm in a company that's makes several very different products. Myself and one other colleague use cyperthrin. We were only ever told to wear gloves when dispensing from drum (outlined in the sheet Expatosaurus kindly sent above.) To wash hands if we come into contact, and not to get it in our eyes.

It seems judging by the comments from people above work have possibly been a bit slap-dash. Will request info from someone tomorrow about it's safety (Not my Boss! Not yet!) Want to make sure they are not in the wrong before I rock any boats.

OP posts:

Original poster

SongforSal · 23/02/2017 20:36

Cypermethrin even [Blush]

OP posts:

MrsPigling · 23/02/2017 20:47

You need to ask to see the COSHH assessment that has been carried out, this should show you the risk management measures, e.g. gloves, RPE etc that need to be taken when using the substance.

The COSHH assessment and SDS should show the hazard classifications of the product. These will vary depending on the concentration of Cypermethrin in the product you are using. From a really quick look at the ECHA website, eye damage is not the issue here!

echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/41591

PootlewasthebestFlump · 24/02/2017 10:48

If you're handling a neurotoxin and getting dizzy spells and nausea then you have every right to be concerned.

I hope they take your concerns seriously x

Bettyspants · 25/02/2017 00:05

OP can I put emphasis on seeing your GP? It can be easy to become complacent when dealing with chemicals , in my own experience particularly so with agricultural for some reason! I'm glad you are taking it up with your boss and understand that you don't want to appear ott but your symptoms could well be related and i certainly wouldn't want further exposure until clarified

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