Yesterday, in my small business where it’s only my manager and me on the shopfloor in a metal working warehouse, my manager sprayed me with an airline because I told him off for spraying his own face with one.
He was using it on his face and hair after blowing out a machine, and I shouted at him and told him not to because of the health and safety precautions and the relevant news stories about doing this. I’ve wanted him about the dangers before.
He then took the air gun, told me to shut up and blasted a second – 2 seconds of compressed air at my lower torso.
He, (in the very least) exposed me to a heath and safety risk. But is it assault? Attempt to injure? Can I actually take it any further or is it just one of those things that’s he’s likely to deny?
Because it’s such a small business, he’s been there for 25 years (and should know better!) and will likely not be reprimanded anyway.
After this incident yesterday, he then threw my dirty work gloves (used with metalworking, cutting fluids, oil, dust, swarf) at my face and told me I was ‘being grumpy’. I wasn’t wearing eye protection. I wasn’t hurt, but feel I could have been.
What’s the best way to deal with this?