Are there any laws to protect employees from smells that make them sick. My boss has started spraying this industrail strength air freshener that not only makes me sick to my stomach, but also causes me to cough for hours after smelling it. I do have asthma and product sensitivity, but this is horrible. In reading the can, I discovered that it is recommended for use combatting the the odor of "rotting Flesh" and other some such stubborn odors. Clearly this is not an item intended for every day use. I have been unable to obtain the can long enough to research the ingredients, and can only trust that if it is available it does not pose a serious threat to humans. I asked him if he could not use it and was informed that he would continue to use it as other employees leave rotting food in the garbage can. I even volunteered to take out the garbage myself. It is obvious that even though I offered both Lysol and Oust to replace this stuff that he has no intentions of stopping. If employers have to protect employees from smoke and other fumes, could this really be much different? Personally I would rather smell rotting food. :eek:

You're supposed to be allowed access to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). OSHA makes that very clear to employers, regarding any chemicals in the work place.

You can always contact the Mfg. and ask for the MSDS if they don't keep it on hand, as they are supposed to.

The only exception I have heard of for not having MSDS accessible to employees is if it is a household product and used with the same frequency and manner as it was originally intended. For instance a hornet spray that is used once a year to kill a hornets nest.

Thanks for posting. I haven't had to deal with the spray in quite some time. Informed my boss regarding the MSDS and since this is an idustrial strength product he knew he would have to provide it. We paint cars here so he knew allllll about it. I did contact the manufacturer and they informed me the their product is approved for human exsposure BUT they clearly document that it is not intended for every day use and that continued exsposure can cause breathing difficulties similair to ammonia or clorox. I was sent a person email from the company for me to give to my boss warning him of this product and informing him that it was far too strong to be used as an everyday air freshener and that they would not be to blame if he got sued ( i'm paraphrasing here) I think he got the point though.:D