Highlighting the Risks of Occupational Asthma
Consider the risks of occupational asthma.
The 3rd or May is World Asthma Day and it is being used to highlight the risks of occupational asthma and the impact occupational lung disease has on workers’ lives and their families.
Occupational lung diseases and their symptoms have a devastating impact on people’s lives but are preventable if suitable control measures are in place and effectively maintained.
Occupational lung disease can be life threatening and the risks are higher for some types of work. Exposure to certain dusts in the workplace as well as gases, fumes and vapours can cause irreversible lung damage if those risks are not effectively managed and controlled.
Employers must fulfil their legal duty to protect their workers’ health and prevent work-related lung disease.
Wood dust and occupational lung disease
If woodworking processes are not planned correctly, they present a risks to workers’ health and safety. This includes the inhalation of wood dust that can cause occupational asthma and, in the case of hardwoods, sinonasal cancer.
The woodworking industry is currently being targeted by the HSE as part of a year-long inspection programme.
HSE is actively inspecting woodworking premises to ensure duty holders know the health risks associated with woodworking processes, including wood dust, and have implemented effective controls to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.
If you have a dusty work environment caused by your operational processes, why not contact us. We can help you organise suitable surveys of the environment and your employees to determine if you have a problem and then guide you in introducing suitable control to protect your workers.
01793 729886 / 07563 492268 marc@anzensafety.co.uk www.anzensafety.co.uk
Safety is not expensive, its priceless.
