Wrong reaction. What you should've done instead...

Indifference to bullying isn't really helping.
Bullying works like this: A bully looks for signs of something they consider an exploitable weakness. When they sense such weakness, they start looking for what exactly it is and how can they exploit it. For example with bullying at school it's not like some kid gives the bully a reason by being fat, by their parents being poor, by being a nerd or something. It's always the bully that comes up with a reason for themselves afterwards to "justify" their actions. And I stress that they start looking for reasons afterwards, because the first step is sensing something they consider a weakness. That's because bullies are certain that the weak ones won't defend themselves and therefore they'd let themselves be bullied.
That's where the indifference comes in. Don't be afraid to tell them to stop harassing you with this shit or if you're fed up with them too much then go to their superiors and file a complaint. Seriously, if you're uncomfortable with how your workmates treat you, indifference towards it won't help it and it's more likely they do it exactly because you're indifferent to it, that you let them do it.
I completely understand if you don't want to make a fuss or you're uncertain what might happen if you'd stand up to it. I myself would probably hesitate to do something about it and I'd also try to just let it be and try to just make it through each workday, but still I realize that the better way is to try to actively come to some kind of resolution of this situation.

Anyway, if you're coughing up blood or whatever, see a doctor, don't postpone it.

Silent endurance is the worst response!
Such idiots feel powerful and unpunished with that.
They'll only stop only if you react and publicly reveal their behaviour.

Anyway, why do you worry about proofs, if you're going to quit anyway?
Report them immediately, so at least they won't bully some other poor folk!

Also, if the doctor will find some kind of intoxication, couldn't that be a proof for suing them?
A pitch black mucus with blood is effin' serious and scary!

Wow that is pretty bad.
I mean to me you do often come across as someone I would dislike in RL, but still.. anything that causes or can cause (within realistic expectations) physical harm isn't a prank any longer IMO.
Quitting or calling in sick while you look for a new job are the only things you can do I think.

That would certainly explain many posts...


I worked on copiers for a couple years. Black boogers are a way of life, mask or not. As for bloody black boogers, it's spring time and allergens are coming around. And humidity is swinging back and forth quite a bit. I'm dealing with exactly that (sans toner dust) and have off-and-on red snot and phlegm. Combine it with toner and there you go.

No need to immediately go nuts with legal action, panicking at the doctor, etc. Get the MSDS sheets and read up a bit before you do anything else. It will have both the health hazards listed and also the protective measures, and might also save you a doctor visit. This will get you informed before making a case to HR or whomever. If the MSDS shows you should be wearing PPE then you might want to ask your manager for the safety training documentation for the workplace. I -think- HR should be keeping track of safety training and this should be in your personnel record.

From my perspective, regardless of what stuff eventually may happen down the road, the most important thing is to start taking those safety measures - if any - right away. There would be no sense in griping / wondering about the hazards while not doing anything about it from now on.

If you feel like making a case then start documenting everything, keeping strictly to the facts. Ask to see the safety training manual, maybe under the guise that you'd like to refresh yourself on the matter to be certain that you're taking proper measures.

Here's a link to standard toner for a laser printer MSDS: My guess is this should be similar to copy machines as well.

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/Countries/us/lj_92298a-x_us_eng_v08.pdf

Pretty much as non-toxic as it gets fortunately.

If you have the ability to physically beat someone down, and choose not to do so, not to give in to anger, then that makes you a true badass. Those who are really strong defend the weak, or only fight when they are physically threatened.

However, you can also choose to confront them, simply by calling them out on their actions to their faces , telling them you don’t like or condone the way they treated you, that they were being cruel and not being funny. This you do for yourself, and for anyone else that might come after you.

Also, once you get a medical checkup, keep working out and training, it takes years to become a proficient warrior... ;)

I know, i know. I am a big as*hole and i know it. I became forcibly at will some point down the road, myself, even though i hate it; i wouldn't have survived otherwise or tasted things i really wanted and missed, while others have them for granted. Physical harm is no stranger to me though, but this time around, this way, it was a first. I have to make adaptations to my treatment of others, so as to ensure it is going to be the last time, too. Maybe i will become sarcastic and provocative against others, like they do all the time to me. Sometimes, giving someone a taste of their own medicine is by far better than ignoring, or beating them up...

Thank you pal for the link! See, i was right, some time perfect strangers or strictly online persons you most probably never will meet IRL, many times, prove to be BETTER than real life acquaintances and friends, current or old... Inhalation was my case, but even though it did not qualify as long, yearly expose, it was a relatively large quantity over a short time... "Minimal respiratory tract irritation may occur with exposure to large amounts of toner dust." Probably it wasn't minimal, but rather medium, as it seems, swelling was terrible (and still is, even though it has partly subsided) and probably caused some minor internal injury (hence the minor blood traces in fluid).

Good news, not a carcinogen. I would hate to gulp down certain quantity of a certain adaptogen with anti-cancer properties for precaution measure (which i am going to refrain from mentioning), TCM products are very unpleasant to taste.

What horrible guys. Having experienced (as a victim) bullying at school taught me that being passive is not the solution, they'll feel empowered and keep doing that.

You're quitting the job anyways, but it'd be good if you reported them to HR. If HR doesn't do anything because of their possitive reputation and such, well, you could take justice by your hand. You're quitting anyways, so you needn't worry about it.

You don't have to resort to direct violence if you don't want to (although, if I were you, as you said you could take on them, I'd beat the living sh!t of them). For example, do they have cars? I don't think they'd like to get out from work to find their cars have flat tires. Or silicone in the keyholes.

Ah. Bullying at school... Let's not even touch it. The only thing i can say on this, is that i myself (after experiencing it in its worst), FULLY support and JUSTIFY the kids who enter their schools pistols in hand headshooting any sh*thead that happens in classroom, like in US. I say they are heroes, not murderers. But my case is something else; ex classmates ALMOST, ruined my life, and literally, as it seems bullying wasn't nearly half enough to satisfy them... And they still hound, tail and damage me even to this day. But this is out of topic here and apologies for that.

I wouldn't take this lightly.

The main issue here might not be the exposure to toner , although toner is made of chemicals and could indeed be toxic.

But the behaviour of your co-workers is abnormal. I hope you realize you might face the early stages of a form of harrassment. And the worst form of it, mobbing...

Well, finally made it to doc's. Thankfully isn't serious, i was explained the situation, was prescribed a spray type thing to help me clear out and i did my own things with complimentary natural treatment (boiling and inhaling fumes from eucalyptus leaves, this is an excellent thing to do when you are blocked in respiratory tract). I am better already. But see if i ever do a favor again for anyone IRL, or reply normally and formally to any newcomer's tone and demands...

No cancer, at least as per official documents and HP's manual. Well, for precaution, i might as well ingest some ling zhi seed oil. It has many benefits besides being potentially anti-cancer substance.

Yeah. They are mid thirties. With little children, too. I could never find it in my heart to hit a father of a little child, even if no one would find out about it. I feel sorry for the little thing, doubly so for having *that* for father.

Well, i thought it over very carefully and i am going to follow a course of action WORSE for THEM, than simply resigning. I am following my signed document, i am going to remain (typically) at workplace, but i am going to make full use of my rights. For example, now they are sunk to the throat from workload and are very few in number; let's see how a perfectly legal, absence "vacation" of mine, fits in with them. I needed some easter vacation, too. I won't loose my paying money either, if i won't resign. And i will return happily on scedule right after i EXHAUST the number of hours i can stay away from there in total. Right when their workload will be trivial again.

I realized, on many things, getting away faqs the one getting away. And remaining somewhere, firmly faqs ALL those in said somewhere, especially if you modify your "presence" and "attitude", doubly so if you apply proper bitch filters to match theirs. Some emotional transmutation technique is in order; i am going to turn my anger to joy and their joy to anger, instead!

Don't bump this thread. I'm old and forget things. I was going to reply to this thread and realized that I already did a year and a half ago. Stop confusing the old folks, ya damn kids!