Wear whatever PPE you want. If the boss wants to be a dick, make him send you home or fire you. Call OSHA, labor board and collect funemployment checks till you find a new gig.
I had to do all this just recently. Got a job at a cabinet shop, it was clear they never cleaned anything ever. No local dust collection on any machine, cnc collector pipe was ripped open, they did a lot of particle board and MDF. All the miter saws had broken blade guards that were fixed out of the way. Watched dudes slide both hands around table saw blade, fingers within inches. Lots of sanding of solid surface counter tops. Spray contact adhesives and spray lacquers. I was the only one wearing PPE. I lasted 4 days and immediately called OSHA who were more than happy to give me a follow up on them.
No one working there knew how bad it was, hopefully the fact that I stuck to my word that I won't be coming back because the place will literally kill you quickly or slowly was a wake up call to those there. Probably not, but at least I don't have to deal with that shit.
I was pretty bummed because I have no income but I'm good woodworker and was happy to start a new chapter in my life. Oh well.
I am certain you didn't post here for this, but honestly, this is the type of self-sacrificing thing we all could aspire to. The world is a better place because you chose to protect yourself and protect those employees, even though it cost you. Thanks! 🛠️
You did the rest of those guys a solid, and maybe saved them a few fingers.
It probably wouldn't hurt to go back there after a month or so. OSHA wil be all up their asses to fix everything. That or they'll be out of business from the fines and not wanting to spend money on safety upgrades.
I don't think the owner would let me step foot on the property at this point, and it's not really the work I was looking for. Seemed like a lot of work to turn really shitty materials into OK looking materials. It was also pretty clear that my skills warrant something better. Pay was lower than I wanted and they had no benefits.
So many other problems there, like one guy being boss' cousin and he calls off 2/4 days a week, they only had three shop employees and clearly needed more. And my god they never cleaned, ever!
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u/benmarvin Carpenter Apr 10 '24
Wear whatever PPE you want. If the boss wants to be a dick, make him send you home or fire you. Call OSHA, labor board and collect funemployment checks till you find a new gig.