u/FreedomToBearHotdogs

I am a hardware/tool worker but because of hour cuts my store regularly has only 1 lumber closer outside of other departments helping out it almost impossible for are closer to do his job alone. I have recently picked up on helping their department. I have helped spot and worked zoning the concrete aisle. I honestly don’t understand how this company thinks having people zone/front face concrete, isn’t going to cause major lawsuits going in to the future. Whenever i help with zoning concrete, there is never any concern for personal safety. There are no provided respirators. Remind you me and the lumber associate are tasked with making concrete “look pretty”. I might only be a hardware/tools associate but I can tell you 100% you should have a respirator when working with concrete inside a store/warehouse. The dust created from moving bags (especially the ripped ones). Concrete is supposed to be a permanent fix to whatever issue that calls for it. If concrete has such future proof/permanent nature how the fuck is that safe to breathe in an enclosed area. Legitimately i pray that other stores have enough sense to make sure policy is put in place to stop this. I am not a doctor but I can tell you that breathing (airborne concrete particles) is going to cause respiratory issues if exposed for a long period of time. From personal experience i find difficulty in keeping a respirator. I have them in my department but anytime i take one for store use it gets lost by the next time i get asked to work concrete. I haven’t experienced any recent health concerns but i have noticed i become significantly more congested/have to sneeze after working the concrete. Again I’m not a doctor but i know that an involuntary sneeze is a natural reaction for clearing your nose of stuff of that dosen’t belong there.