Occupational Asthma
See Also : Work Accidents
| Chemical Poisoning | Occupational
Asthma
Dermatitis | Deafness
| Vibration White Finger
| Industrial Accidents
Asthma is a common, painful and distressing condition
in which the airways narrow over short periods of time making
it hard to breathe. Occupational asthma happens when the
narrowing of the airways is caused by the inhalation of
a substance used where the person affected works.
As the narrowing of the airways occurs during a relatively
short time frame, occupational asthma can be distinguished
from bronchitis or emphysema.
Hundreds of different agents can cause asthma and occupational
asthma. They can be divided as follows:-
- biological agents - such as wood dust, flour, grain,
animal dust and mites
- chemicals - in particular isocyanates used in paints,
polyurethane
- adhesives - acid and hydrides used in plastics and metal
salts such as platinum, chromium and
- nickel, stainless steel welding fumes
- Disinfectants or chemicals arising from drug manufacture
can cause symptoms.
Employers are legally obliged by The Control Of Substances
Hazardous To Health Regulations (COSHH) regulations to control
their employees' exposure to fumes, dust and impurities.
Breach of these regulations can form the basis of a claim
for occupational asthma damages and compensation.
Employers are also required to undertake an assessment
of the health risks caused by hazardous substances at their
business that could potentially cause conditions like occupational
asthma. If health risks are identified, they are obliged
to assess the level of exposure and institute prevention
and control measures.
They have also obliged to operate a system of health surveillance.
In our experience, even with the greater involvement of
local authorities and the Health & Safety Executive
(HSE), many employers do not fulfill their duties and leave
their employees exposed to hazardous substances.
Two of our Industrial Accidents and Diseases Team, Dominic
Collingwood and Howard Bonnett are experts in occupational
asthma related illnesses.
If you think you may have a claim, please call
0800 043 8884 for an informal chat to discuss your situation
or simply fill in our online form on this page.
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