Occupational asthma is a disease in which people become allergic to something they breathe in at work. The substances that cause it are called 'respiratory sensitisers' or asthmagens.
The lungs of people with occupational asthma change and enter what is called a 'hypersensitive state'. Once in this state, exposure to even low levels of an asthmagen may trigger an attack. Symptoms include wheezing, a tight chest or feeling breathless.
It is estimated that each year between 1,500 and 3,000 people in Great Britain develop occupational asthma. This rises to 7,000 cases a year if you include asthma made worse by work.
The cost to society is estimated to be up to 1.1 billion over 10 years and asthma can ruin lives. Some sufferers can become so disabled they are unable to work again.
How do you get it?
You may be breathing in substances at work, which over weeks, months or years can lead to your airways becoming damaged, making you breathless or wheezy.
Most cases of occupational asthma occur as a result of exposure to the following substances:
- isocyanates
- flour dust
- grain dust
- glutaraldehyde
- wood dust
- natural rubber latex
- solder/colophony
- laboratory animals
Symptoms
Asthma is a serious health problem. Thousands of people in Britain have to face the challenges of this disease every day.
Symptoms include severe shortness of breath that can stop you from doing the simplest tasks. Imagine not being able to carry your shopping or walk up the stairs or even play with your children. Other symptoms include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
The symptoms can develop right after exposure to a workplace substance, but sometimes symptoms appear several hours later, possibly at night. This can make any link with workplace activities unclear.
Other associated conditions are:
- rhinitis (sneezing/runny nose)
- conjunctivitis (itchy and inflamed red eyes)
What is the difference between occupational asthma and asthma made worse by work?
Occupational asthma is asthma that has been caused by exposure to a substance at work, e.g. flour dust.
Many people have asthma for other reasons and may have had it all their life. For people who already have asthma, exposure to substances at work can make their asthma worse than before. For these people, controlling exposure at work will ease their symptoms but won't prevent asthma attacks.
What does the law say?
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that employers have duties under the above act to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work. This includes taking steps to minimize the risk of occupational asthma.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations require employers to control exposures to hazardous substances to protect employees, health. Employers must assess the risk of exposure (exposure means taking in chemicals by breathing in, by skin contact or by swallowing). COSHH requires you to consider the substitution of harmful products with less harmful ones. COSHH requires that all controls be kept in good working order, including:
- Mechanical controls e.g. local exhaust ventilation (LEV), protective gloves
- Administrative controls e.g. following instructions
- Operator controls e.g. following instructions
All employees exposed or likely to be exposed to an asthmagen should receive suitable health surveillance, for further information please see our downloadable health surveillance sheet (PDF , 17KB).
Further information
Download specific information aimed at Bakers (PDF , 10KB) and Woodworkers (PDF , 10KB) here.
You can also find more information in the HSE publication 'Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) Guidance on Regulations, ISBN 0-7176-2823-X (L23) available from HSE Books, good bookshops and on the Health & Safety Executive Website and from South Holland District Council, Community & Neighbourhood Services, Safety & Environment Team, 01775 761161 .
