Supermarket and Allergies

[kerdi]

I work in a supermarket, where about 80% of our products could cause allergies to just about anyone. I suffer from a kiwi fruit allergy, not major just an itchy rash and working as a check out chick i get alot of kiwi fruit coming thru. I handle kiwi's by using a plastic bag as a glove but being unfortunate today at work i still broke out. What concerns me is that being a big coporation that it is there was absolutly nothing the could give me to fix it becos of liability risks of what they can and can't put on empolyees, or the possiblity that they didnt have any. Now you'd think being a supermarket where about 80% of items in the store could cause anyone to have an allergic reaction that they would have some sort of medication or cream that could fix allergies. But liabilities right? Well wouldnt they be more liable if say I or a customer or another employee had a server allergic reation that caused them, in worse case senario, to die, then wouldnt they be more liable becos there was nothing they could do about it?

 

[mod-anon]

Liability issues are not a topic for HealtrabroadoarRAB. Please limit your discussion to your own allergic reactions.

 

[lucylucy]

I wouldn't expect an employer to provide medications (it would be irresponsible since they're not doctors and they don't know your medical history). But I would definitely ask for gloves. Check with employees in your fish, poulty, or deli departments; they probably have a box handy.

You don't need to make a fuss or talk about liability issues. (Managers hate employees who seem litigious.) If anyone asks, simply smile and say "allergies." (If needed, you could joke about not wanting to blow up like a blow fish.)

If a manager gives you a hard time about it, assume they have no training or experience, and politely remind them that it's a safety issue. If you use the term PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) any experienced safety manager would be quick to comply with such a simple request.

And unlike most people, you can use your employee discount to buy benadryl or creams if you need them.

I always have a tiny tube of (Rx) Triamcinalone cream in my purse. It's the best thing I've found for rashes, but it's not supposed to be used on large areas or open cuts.

If you're afraid of a life threatening allergic reaction, you might get yourself one of those epi things. I know a few people with bee allergies who keep them nearby just in case.