Dust Means Death!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Having some health problems aggravated by working in a warehouse environment that is really thick with dust. Added to which, the air conditioning for the offices vents straight into the warehouse just around the corner from my work station. It's got to the point where I'm going to be buying myself some paper-type dust masks this weekend, to wear at work . Does anybody know if there are any guidelines on this my employers should be following, which perhaps they are not?

[Skippernick]

I think if you are required to wear ppe equipment at work they are meant to supply it, but as you are doing it off your own bat as it were you might have to pay for it.
Apart from that i don't know much else.
Nick

[ChristoT]

If it's affecting your breathing, health and safety risk?

[Hedgetrimmer]

There's no doubt in my mind that the dust levels constitute a health risk. The number of people in the warehouse going around coughing and sneezing all the time lends weight to this. Most of them will tell you that after a day or two away from work, they get much less of this. The problem I can see us having, is that apparently it is considered as an outside environment, so maybe adequate ventilation/extraction is not a requirement? The other thing I want to be careful of, is not stepping on too many toes and making myself a pain in the ass over it, as I'm limited in the kind of work I can do these days, and it wouldn't be easy for me to find something else.

[dazza]

If you report something, are you protected from being penalised for it? Under the law you are protected as a safety 'whistleblower' if there has been:
 

• a criminal offence
• a breach of a legal obligation
• a miscarriage of justice
• a danger to the health and safety of any individual
• damage to the environment
• deliberate covering up of information about any of these
• Protection of whistleblowers
• Employers' health and safety responsibilities

[Hedgetrimmer]

So Fizzy, have they found a loophole to exempt themselves? And did they know it was you who drew HSEs attention to this?

[adeejaysdelight]

Your employer has an obligation to ensure  that ALL workers are working in as safe an environment as is possible. If you feel that your work is affecting your health, and that is not what you signed up for, you are free to contact the appropriate governing body for routine inspection. I work for a large organization that spends tens of millions every year improving the health and wellbeing of all 3650 employees. In turn, we get improved returns on employees efficiency and attendance year on year. All good companies look after their employees as no company would be good without them.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Your employer has an obligation to ensure  that ALL workers are working in as safe an environment as is possible. If you feel that your work is affecting your health, and that is not what you signed up for, you are free to contact the appropriate governing body for routine inspection. I work for a large organization that spends tens of millions every year improving the health and wellbeing of all 3650 employees. In turn, we get improved returns on employees efficiency and attendance year on year. All good companies look after their employees as no company would be good without them.

Another thing about which I am in no doubt. Attendance would be much improved if this problem could be solved. However, I'd rather get it solved with the willing participation of the employer. But I don't actually hear others vocally complaining, it's only when I actually ask them that they turn out to agree with me. But I'm the one who's health is compromised by a dodgy immune system, so it's far more important to me - but probably that weakens my case?

[Punkstig]

If you're so concerned about treading on toes (which in this work, or lack of work climate I understand) can you not buy your own masks as suggested and claim it against you're income tax!?

[Mark YPVS]

Hi Nick,
If you get a mask make sure its this type (FFP3 )
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moldex-3405BP-Series-Reusable-Blister/dp/B003ASODEI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375472367&sr=8-3&keywords=ffp3+respirator
Also some info on here http://www.hse.gov.uk/search/search-results.htm?q=dust%20health%20and%20safety#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=dust%20health%20and%20safety&gsc.page=1
It sound like you need an LEV system ( local extract system) over your work station, ask your employer for the specific risk assessment and method statements for the jobs you do(not general) and see if it mentions dust, if so what's the precautions required, if not it needs to be updated to include all hazards of the jobs(tasks) that you do , at this point you can add dust as a hazard and to control the risk(hazard) the employer must supply the correct PPE and or LEV,   do you have a H&S rep on-site?
Just to im not 100% sure on the above but this is my opinion so I could be wrong( and often am  )
Mark

[Hedgetrimmer]

Thanks for that Mark. To start with, I was just going to buy a few masks to see if it makes a real difference, without consulting anyone or raising the issue, probably what I will do. If then I find it really does improve matters, then I think I will take it to the H&S rep. We are soon to have an extension built on the warehouse - I'm dreading the dust and chaos this will cause whilst in progress, but it may also be a good time (before work starts) to bring this up, as it would offer an ideal opportunity for the issue to be tackled. But I'm still doubtful that they'll listen to the voice of one person whose experience is not the "norm". I could be wrong though.

[caretaker]

i was just going to post what mark posted. those paper masks are worthless.

[Mark YPVS]

You could always try weekly/monthly team meetings where things like this can be raised without fear of repercussions, invite supervisors/ managers / H&S reps etc , at least you have highlighted your(and others issues and concerns) just in case you or others are of ill because of this
Mark 

[Hedgetrimmer]

I also chatted to a colleague today about this, and he reckoned that because we receive a lot of goods and deliveries from places like Pakistan etc, we're prone to having a lot of bugs around - scary thought if you're in my position!

[Mark YPVS]

yes mate I know what you mean , ive worked in lots of different warehouses over the years, the worst was the banana factory, fooking big spiders, mostly dead, but not always 
Mark

[Hedgetrimmer]

yes mate I know what you mean , ive worked in lots of different warehouses over the years, the worst was the banana factory, fooking big spiders, mostly dead, but not always 
Mark

Aaah, I hadn't actually thought about that...Cheers mate!
I mean viral & bacterial bugs.

[adeejaysdelight]

Your employer has an obligation to ensure  that ALL workers are working in as safe an environment as is possible. If you feel that your work is affecting your health, and that is not what you signed up for, you are free to contact the appropriate governing body for routine inspection. I work for a large organization that spends tens of millions every year improving the health and wellbeing of all 3650 employees. In turn, we get improved returns on employees efficiency and attendance year on year. All good companies look after their employees as no company would be good without them.

Another thing about which I am in no doubt. Attendance would be much improved if this problem could be solved. However, I'd rather get it solved with the willing participation of the employer. But I don't actually hear others vocally complaining, it's only when I actually ask them that they turn out to agree with me. But I'm the one who's health is compromised by a dodgy immune system, so it's far more important to me - but probably that weakens my case?

Don't go into this thinking you will have the backing ofyour workmates. That may agree with you, but if the shit hits the fan they will be happy to sacrifice you to save themselves. I made that mistake once before. Now I speek for me and the people I am directly responsible for only. If you are in a union, speak to them. If not, join one before you proceed. If your boss is decent, approach  him on a formal basis to discuss the issue. Arrange a meeting if you can, and take a witness who can also take minutes. Express your concerns and offer a realistic solution to your problem with a suitable timeframe. If that don't work, escalate it.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Trouble is, what's a realistic solution? That the company invests thousands of pounds to make me comfortable? When I joined the company, I didn't imagine such an issue could arise, therefore I didn't mention the problem of my low resistance to infection. Well, my line manager knows about it now, and at least he seems supportive - so far.

[adeejaysdelight]

It is quite a tricky one mate, but they still have a duty of care to you. If you develop a medical problem whilst working there, they would have to accommodate you. You were hired with an existing medical problem that has gotten worse over time as a direct result of the environment in which you work, I would suggest you make sure you have some solution to offer your boss, maybe a change of job (into the office?) If you do not think he will spend the money. Just make sure you are going to commit yourself to this all the way to completion, otherwise there is no point mentioning it. I have approached my employers several times regarding various things such as uniforms, motorcycle specific parking on the grounds, secure bicycle sheds for employees, shift patterns, motorcycle specific first aid training (put myself forward for that one  ) and staff rooms. Some of these issues were met with resistance, some were not. But I had a well considered solution for all of them, as well as examples of how it will benefit the employer. I was right, every time. I improved the staff moral, people are taking there fitness and wellbeing more seriously, they are eating better and living better and attendance is outstandingly good on a national comparison. So good that we (all employees) now have an extra days holiday every year because the company saves millions on the sick bill. Sometimes the people in charge are too busy to notice the shop floor, so you might be thanked for bringing it to their attention?

[Hedgetrimmer]

Actually, they have shown their appreciation of my work on more than one occasion. I first worked there for about 6 months, then resigned to go off on my little Lake District jaunt. After I had been back a while, I got a call from them asking if I'd like to go back (hadn't been able to find anything else in that time). My line manager said they'd tried a number of people in my absence, but weren't happy with any of them. Even though I only do a 4 day week now, it seems they're still really happy with my workload, my colleague thinks I'm their "golden boy" and he's been there a lot longer than me!
So far, they've also been quite understanding with the amount of sick-time I've had to take, so really, I feel I'm in a pretty good situation. Just want to keep it that way.

[adeejaysdelight]

All you can do is talk to the guy. You might be surprised by his reaction. I'm just saying prepare yourself for every eventuality. That way you don't come off a fool with half baked ideas when it comes time for him to grill you on your suggestions. And if it pays off and benefits the company, you are even more the golden boy  . PROMOTION ANYONE!

[Dead Eye]

Who knows, you might become the new Health & Safety advisor haha

[maddog04]

deffo go to the HSE and keep going back if the employer ignores them
as for Fizzy pies, I used to work with an arl fella on the welding and there was no ventilation/extraction systems...............he's now fucked big time with his lungs...............it will catch up with you so don't ignore it

[helen]

Warehouse environments don't have to be dusty.  I work for a company which specialises in cleaning warehouses and keeping them clean. The working environment can always be improved and often with warehouses it's improved hygiene routines which are needed to control and reduce dust through cleaning floors and pick faces and wiping down racking.
 
 

[Hedgetrimmer]

I don't know. It's hard to think straight about it while I feel so lousy. I think I'll sound my line manager out about it on Monday, see what he thinks. He's a good guy. If there's no solution, I guess I'll have to look for alternative employment.