Well, while loading my truck tonight, a box of Canon brand powdered printer toner got crushed on my rollers by a much larger and heavier package, resulting in a massive cloud of black dust in the truck, and half inch thick, 2 foot wide pile of powered toner on the ground. Luckily the fan was running, and we had so many big packages that there was about 20 feet left until the truck was 100% full. This allowed, I think, for at least a little "airing out."
It was the heaviest hour, but I left the area immediately, trying not to breath anything in, knowing full well the larger mess that this would make. I told my supervisor I was not going back in the truck without a breathing mask and goggles. It turns out we have none, not even for a hazmat spill. I think that is total bull
. How can you not?
After about ten minutes, when all my supervisors are in the truck checking out the problem, my main supervisor is telling me that this isn't a hazard and I shouldn't need a mask for some dust. He was calm, amidst my obvious livid anger. I told him "this is my two weeks notice." He kept talking while I decided to start loading. "Why don't you quit tonight?" he says. I told him I wouldn't do that because I've been there for 2.5 years and that just wouldn't be right. I have since redacted that statement. I can't even remember what exactly happened tonight because I so amazingly pissed off. I did however remain calm. I'm still pissed, so this is why this post is losing coherence.
Basically, I have 3 questions.
1) Can they just randomly fire me now that I have said this? I'm not sure if they would, given my experience and impeccable load quality + pph rating. I think they could though?
2) How dangerous IS it to be working in a cloud of printer toner? I'm coughing black specs up now, and so I am worried my lungs are now died black. Being a smoker of 4 years does not help the problem. I've honestly been trying to quit all week, and am back down to ~4 a day from a pack a day, but as soon as I left I had to bum a cigarette from my buddy. Now I'm worried what I just smoked caked the toner further into lungs. I read that toner particles are orders of magnitude smaller than cigarette smoke, and much harder for the lungs to expel.
3) Why no breathing masks and goggles? They're trying to save money? Its up to the employees to have these? Since the material in question is not immediately hazardous, it does not warrant protection?
I need some drinks. I hope I still a job tomorrow.
