Asthma at work

Every year in the UK, up to 3,000 people develop
asthma because they are exposed to dangerous substances at work.

This is called occupational asthma.

750,000 people with asthma find that things
at work make their asthma worse.

In Ireland 80 to 100 people die from Asthma each year.

This section aims to help you understand what can cause asthma at
work, what you can do to prevent it, and what you can expect your
employer to do to help.

Occupational asthma - some substances at work can actually cause asthma.
This section includes information on occupational asthma, its causes, how to prevent it,
what employers need to do, how it is diagnosed and where you can go for more help.

People with asthma at work - offers advice about careers and avoiding triggers at
work for people who already have asthma.

The Workplace Charter is a list of recommendations to reduce the impact of asthma
in the workplace. .

Q . What is Occupational Asthma

Some substances that you might come across at work can actually cause asthma.
The condition can take weeks, months or even years to develop, depending on the person
and the substance.

If you think your asthma has been caused by something at work, look out for these clues:

* your asthma symptoms are worse during the working week, at work or after work
* your symptoms may get worse after work, or you may find your sleep is disturbed
during the night
* your symptoms improve when you have been away from work for several days
(for example when you are on holiday)


Q . Which substances cause
Occupational Asthma ?

Substances that can cause asthma are called respiratory sensitisers. Below is a list
of some of the main ones and the jobs where you are most likely to come across them.

* Chemicals called isocyanates are the most common cause of occupational asthma in the UK. There are many jobs in which you might be exposed to these chemicals, particularly spray painting, foam moulding using adhesives, and making foundry cores and surface coatings.
* Dust from flour and grain (pictured). Industrial baking, farm work and grain transport
* Wood dust, particularly from hard wood dusts and western red cedar. Carpentry, joinery
and sawmilling.
* Colophony – this is widely present in soldering fumes but also in glues and some floor
cleaners. Electronics industry
* Dust from latex rubber. Any job involving latex gloves, such as nursing or dentistry
* Dust from insects and animals, and from products containing them. Laboratory work, farm work or work with shellfish

There are over 200 other respiratory sensitisers and more are being identified all the time.
The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) publishes a list of the best known offenders.
The list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.
Q . How can I prevent Occupational Asthma ?

You can prevent occupational asthma by avoiding exposure to respiratory sensitisers. To achieve this you should follow these steps:

* try to get any respiratory sensitisers in your workplace removed or replaced with a safe alternative
* if this isn't possible, your employer can reduce the risk by installing extractor fans or
isolating you from the process that produces the risk – by putting dangerous chemicals in
a fume cupboard, for example. These steps can reduce the respiratory sensitisers you
breathe in
* if the above steps aren't possible, you should wear breathing equipment to stop you
inhaling the respiratory sensitiser.

Often a combination of all these steps will be needed.
Q . What can my employer do to help ?
Your employer has a legal duty to deal with respiratory sensitisers in the workplace.
This is set out in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994. Your employer should carry out a risk assessment and inform you if respiratory sensitisers are present. You should also be told how to recognise early signs of occupational asthma.

If you are working with respiratory sensitisers, it is often necessary to have regular
medical checks so the condition can be spotted early.

Your employer should consult you (either directly or through your union or employee representative) about the need to control respiratory sensitisers and triggers and the
steps they plan to take to do this.

Most employers will do what they can to help. If you don't think that they are doing
enough you can:

* raise the issue with the person responsible for health and safety in your workplace
* tell your manager about your concerns
* contact the local HSE office (or the local council environmental health department)
for advice on what to do next


Your colleagues also have a legal duty not to do things that endanger your health
(such as smoking near you). Remember that having a legal right doesn't always
mean you can enforce it. Be tactful and choose the right moment to raise the issue.

Q . What if I think I have Occupational Asthma ?

First of all, see your doctor straight away. If they suspect that you do have occupational
asthma, they should refer you to a specialist. If occupational asthma is confirmed,
your doctor should, with your consent, advise your employer to relocate you away
from the respiratory sensitiser.

Diagnosis of occupational asthma does not always mean you have to leave your job.
Talk to your employer and health and safety representative about other options
available to you. However, if you feel leaving work is the only option, you should
make a claim for compensation.
Q . How is occupational asthma diagnosed ?

Occupational asthma may be diagnosed:

* if your asthma is worse during the working week, though not necessarily at
work itself or your symptoms get worse after work, or you find your sleep is
disturbed during the night
* Your symptoms may improve when you have been away from work for
several days or on holiday
* If occupational asthma is suspected, you should be referred to a specialist.

Q . Can I get compensation if I develop occupational asthma ?

If you develop asthma because of your work you should:

* tell your GP that you think the asthma was caused by your work
* tell your manager or safety officer and ask to record it in the workplace accident book
* tell your union representative. If you belong to a union they may be able to get you compensation if your employer is at fault
* make a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit from the Benefits Agency.

The Benefits Agency pays between ?20 and ?100 a week to people who have asthma
that has been caused by certain respiratory sensitisers. There is a list of these in the
relevant Benefits Agency booklet (NI 237). If your respiratory sensitiser isn't on the
list, you can still claim as long as it is a 'known sensitiser'. A complete list of known
respiratory sensitisers is available from the HSE.

It is important to claim your benefit as soon as possible. Payments will probably only
start from the day you claim, not the day that you found out you had asthma. If you
want to take legal action against your employer, your lawyer must act within three
years of diagnosis.

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