noxious fumes

[makes needs known]

The facility where I work will be stripping and waxing the floors this week. I've worked before when they do this and it is awful. We all are breathing these fumes and we all develop headaches, sore throats, stuffy noses, etc. We hate it. It takes several days for me to feel better after this. The pts are protected from fumes, doors are closed. Rags are put under door frames to keep odors away from them. But we have to breathe it. The employees who are actually doing the floors wear no masks. They do the floors at night starting between 7-9 pm. It make answering call lights risky and dealing with pts who need lots of intervention after going to bed, riskier. We can deal with taking care of the pts who need help, but I'm not sure if it's ok for us to have to breathe these fumes. We have to ask to see the MSDS and they don't like us to complain. They say everyone hates it, but it has to be done, don't complain. I'm not sure what to do. We had 1 copd pt develop problems last week when they did one area of our floor. We moved her to another floor. That helped her. This week they will be doing another area of our floor. We will do it again for her. But what about us. Any input thanks.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Have you called OSHA and asked them this question?

[makes needs known]

Yes left a message with them. Waiting to talk to them.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Good, I hope they call you back and give you some answers. It seems to me that your employer is obligated to consider the safety of their employees as well as the residents there. Let us know what happens.

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I've ended up a pt more than once when the floors are being stripped and waxed. I break out in hives and have trouble breathing. Our staff has access to my schedule and does the floors on my nights off, but I have often wondered about all the resp pts and how they react to that stuff. I have been assured that the chemicals are not toxic and that what happens to me is an allergy.

[leslie :-D]

Have you called OSHA and asked them this question?

this is what i was thinking as well...

they may have suggestions.

leslie

[makes needs known]

I have heard from OSHA and they have contacted my place of employment and it has been decided that the foor stripping will not continue until they have checked out the chemicals they use. I've done some research online and healthcare facilities where there is always someone on duty have alot of respiratory problems related to floor care and cleaning products. There are chemicals used that cause eye and nasal burning, butoxyethanol is a dangerous solvent stripper that can cause red blood cell damage if absorbed through skin. But there are also products that can be used that have far less risks. OSHA has told me that they do not give my name and the facility can't punish anyone for contacting OSHA. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks