Allergic to work's universal cleaner. What shall I do?

Legacy_user

My employer changed the universal cleaning product over 2 years ago. My job is not a cleaner, but we are told to clean our area everyday before the end of the working day.

The cleaning product comes in spray bottles where we have to empty the contents and fill them up again. We put in a measured dose of the concentrated stuff in the bottles and top up with water.

Yesterday, I filled the bottles and a tiny drop of the concentrated landed on my cuff of my uniform and I washed my wrist with soap and water immediately. There are no instructions on the equipment that gloves need to be worn.

This morning, I had my shower and my left wrist came up with burns. My shower is always set at the same temp. Plus been using the same toiletries and laundry products for years..

I am only allergic to washing powder and conifer sap.

Obviously I need to inform my employer about my allergic reaction, esp when we had it changed it, we were told it would not cause allergies!

What does an employer normally do in these cases?

Podge52

Have you never filled the bottles before ?

I would suggest using rubber gloves the next time you have to handle the undiluted product.

System

Podge52 wrote: »

Have you never filled the bottles before ?

I would suggest using rubber gloves the next time you have to handle the undiluted product.

On the instructions, there is no mention of wearing gloves and my employer don't provide any. Plus at work, if there things like gloves provided, they go walkabouts!

I have filled these bottles for a while with no effects.

fruitedeli

This doesn't mean you're allergic. It means you stupidly left a disinfectant with low concentration of acidic content on your skin overnight without bothering to wash it off properly.

paddedjohn

Your employer should be providing coshh sheets with any chemicals you are using. Plus one to the poster who pointed out that you should have washed the cleaner immediately rather than wait till morning.

starrystarry

ScarletMarble wrote: »

On the instructions, there is no mention of wearing gloves and my employer don't provide any. Plus at work, if there things like gloves provided, they go walkabouts!

I have filled these bottles for a while with no effects.

Just get your own pair of rubber gloves and keep them in your bag/locker.

System

I did wash my wrist and hands as soon as the stuff splashed my uniform as a precaution and washed my hands at least three times after that like after using the loo etc. I think the higher temp if the water in the shower flared the rash. I had no itchiness etc beforehand.

Please read my op properly as I did wash immediately after the cleaner was splashed on me. Annoys me when people say I did not wash immediately.

paddedjohn

Demand a coshh sheet before using the chemical again.( Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).

xoAmyox

How about leaving demands behind, and approaching your line manager/employer to mention the incident (they should log this).

Advise that you would like to wear gloves when using this product, but for the sake of a few pence for rubber gloves, be prepared to buy your own.

If your arm is bad, please do also see a doctor.

paddedjohn

Ask or demand, whatever happens it law that they must be supplied, the HSE would have a field day if there was a serious incident.

Nile

Your employer should provide the gloves but if I were in your position, I'd buy some rubber gloves and a pair of safety spectacles..............because I wouldn't want to risk being splashed in the eyes with this liquid either.;)

I hope you'll see your GP...........and your wrist is soon feeling better.