CRISIS HELP URGENT

Fiberglass exposure anxiety at work - OCD or legitimate concern? Hi everyone. I work at a manufacturing facility that produces aerogel fiberglass insulation products containing fibrous glass (>50%). I work in office areas, not on the production floor, but I’ve noticed dust accumulating on my desk regularly and engineering staff have large air purifiers in their workspace. I’ve been experiencing dry nose, nosebleeds, chapped lips, and sneezing constantly. Not sure if that’s regular office HVAC air or fiberglass particles. I reviewed the official SDS for our product which confirms fibrous glass indeed causes mechanical irritation to mucous membranes. I have OCD and my therapist has been doing ERP with me on this fear - I’ve been working unmasked for several weeks as part of treatment. I brought air quality concerned to EHS & HR and they basically downplayed my request for air quality monitoring data, which has escalated my concern. I’m struggling to tell what’s legitimate occupational health concern versus OCD amplification. I’m very tempted to quit my job over this. I’m on a visa so quitting has catastrophic impact on my life but nothing is more important to me than my health. Has anyone navigated something similar - real workplace health concerns alongside OCD? How did you separate the two? Did ERP help? I’m very very scared and anxious and very close to quitting. I don’t want to quit but don’t see any other option.

GratitudeGirl

Date posted: 2d

Im so sorry that you are dealing with this.. I have quit a job as well due to health anxiety but I promise you that you will get through this slowly.. if you have a therapist I would reach out to them and ask if you can wear a mask and reduce the extent to with you are doing exposure therapy because working on it is good but if it is causing you to feel like quitting your job it is not worth pushing so hard

Mercury75

Date posted: 2d

@GratitudeGirl Agreed. I don't know if your working conditions are truly hazardous or not but try to avoid doing anything rash when you're not sure. It's ok to take it slow with ERP.

GratitudeGirl

Date posted: 2d

@Mercury75 Well said

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

@GratitudeGirl thank you both. i am gonna try not to make any rash decisions just to escape from anxiety. will discuss this with my therapist on Monday

GratitudeGirl

Date posted: 2d

Also I think OP can try to browse other jobs in the meantime if it feels like too much to handle.. after I quit my job I tried to work another office job and could not do it.. I had unhealed anxiety and I needed a secure solution.. I tried to get an online job and it worked.. I don't get paid much but it was worth it and now I feel mentally stable.. my job is no longer my worry but instead my strength

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

@GratitudeGirl Thanks for sharing that. I am on a work visa and cannot legally switch employers until November this year. I am kinda stuck in a rock and hard place. I’m looking for new jobs but even if I find one, I can’t switch until November since that’s when my visa renews and I can actually switch employers.

GratitudeGirl

Date posted: 6h

@Anonymous @Anonymous Are you able to talk with your therapist and reduce the therapy level or do some research about the materials at your workplace? I'm so sorry

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