OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA Worker Guide pptx

Occupational asthma is asthma that is caused by breathing in a respiratory sensitiser or irritant at the workplace.. some of the sensitisers that may cause occupational asthma and some o

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Worker Guide

October 2000

Workplace Health and Safety Page 2 of 9 October 2000

Contents

1 ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA 3

1.1 What is asthma? 3

1.2 What is occupational asthma? 3

1.3 Occupational asthma from sensitisation 3

1.4 Irritant induced occupational asthma 3

1.5 Symptoms of occupational asthma 3

1.6 Work-aggravated asthma 4

2 OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA AND YOU 5

2.1 Introduction 5

2.2 Risk Management 5

2.3 Information and training 5

2.4 Self-reporting 6

2.5 First aid 6

3 CHECKLISTS 7

3.1 Introduction 7

3.2 Sensitisers 7

3.3 Irritants 8

FURTHER INFORMATION 9

Asthma Queensland 9

Division of Workplace Health and Safety 9

Legislation 9

Occupational Asthma Worker Guide

1 About occupational asthma

1.1 What is asthma?

can be caused by breathing in certain

substances known to be sensitisers and

irritants

become red and swollen (inflamed)

tighten

This makes it harder for air to flow in and out

of the lungs

following symptoms:

1.2 What is occupational asthma?

Occupational asthma is asthma that is

caused by breathing in a respiratory

sensitiser or irritant at the workplace.

1.3 Occupational asthma from

sensitisation

sensitiser, even to very small amounts, will produce symptoms

sensitiser can result in increasingly severe symptoms and possibly permanent asthma

cigarette smoke, may also produce symptoms

some of the sensitisers that may cause occupational asthma and some of the occupations most at risk

1.4 Irritant induced occupational asthma

which, when breathed in, can cause irritation to the airways of the lungs

result of a single, very high exposure to

an irritant - often the result of an accident (eg chemical spill) or poorly designed work procedures

hours of exposure

some of the irritants that may cause occupational asthma and some of the occupations most at risk

Workplace Health and Safety Page 4 of 9 October 2000

usually worsening towards the end of

the week

work, over weekends or holidays

enough and appropriate action is taken,

there is a good chance that the

symptoms will decrease and, in many

cases disappear

1.6 Work-aggravated asthma

worsened or aggravated by

workplace

may aggravate asthma include:

mites

Occupational Asthma Worker Guide

2.1 Introduction

work This includes the right not to be

exposed to substances, including

hazardous substances, that may cause

occupational asthma

section 28 of the Workplace Health and

Safety Act 1995, to ensure the health and

safety of each of their workers at work

This means your employer must take

steps to eliminate, or at least minimise,

exposure to substances that may cause

occupational asthma

instructions given by your employer and

you must wear any personal protective

equipment provided by your employer, if

you have been properly instructed in its

use

2.2 Risk Management

Hazard identification

irritants at the workplace which can

cause occupational asthma and

irritants are

substances, you have a right to see the

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for

are likely to cause occupational asthma and

assessment

out:

the possible level of exposure to a hazardous substance

worker's health is being affected by exposure to the hazardous substances Control measures

or at least reduce the risks associated with sensitisers and irritants at the workplace

tell you how to use them correctly

you with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as a face mask, to minimise exposure to sensitisers such as flour dust

provided by your employer

measures, eg faulty extraction ventilation

Workplace Health and Safety Page 6 of 9 October 2000

2.4 Self-reporting

reporting symptoms

use this procedure

asthma you should:

become aware of them, to one or

more of the following:

– your employer or supervisor

– first aid personnel

– the occupational nurse

– the Workplace Health and Safety

Officer

specialist

symptoms of occupational asthma, if

there is one at your workplace

environment

occupational asthma at your workplace

you should raise them with:

Officer

committee

2.5 First aid

medication, ie reliever (blue inhaler

-eg Ventolin, Asmol, Airomir, Bricanyl)

to work

EMERGENCY ASTHMA CARE on

the last page – this page may be copied and enlarged and placed in a visible location, eg the first aid room

equipment and facilities readily available for use

(eg Volumatic, Nebuhaler) for use with each worker’s personal reliever

You should have access to trained first aid personnel

Occupational Asthma Worker Guide

3 Checklists

3.1 Introduction

irritants that may cause occupational

asthma

irritants which may cause occupational

asthma For more information contact the

Division of Workplace Health and Safety

(see details on the last page of this

guide)

3.2 Sensitisers

Many substances can cause respiratory

sensitisation There are three common

groups:

1 substances of plant origin

2 substances of animal origin

3 substances of chemical origin

1 Common substances of plant origin

Agent Occupations most

at risk

grain dust and flour

colophony resin

western red cedar

dust and other

millers, bakers electronics workers woodworkers

2 Common substances of animal origin

Agent Occupations most

at risk

laboratory animal dust

bird products shellfish &

crustaceans detergent enzymes insects (eg silkworms)

cockroaches

animal carers

poultry farmers processors

soap powder workers silkworkers

entomologists

3 Common substances of chemical origin

Agent Occupations most

at risk

glutaraldehyde

diisocyanates

epoxy resin aluminium pot-room fume

nurses, poultry farmers, vets, dark room workers

spray painters, polyurethane foam manufacturers spray painters smelter workers

Workplace Health and Safety Page 8 of 9 October 2000

3.3 Irritants

Irritant induced asthma often follows a single,

very high exposure to substances that are

common to many workplaces The following

is a list of some of the known respiratory

irritants

Some known irritants

Solvent vapours Corrosive mists:

Irritant gases:

– ammonia – chlorine

Irritant particles:

– dust – smoke

Occupational Asthma Worker Guide

Further Information

Asthma Queensland

Asthma Queensland can:

sessions

guidance and support

below to speak to a trained asthma

adviser

from mobile phones)

- (07) 3252 7677

Division of Workplace Health and

Safety

on Health and Safety

Brisbane QLD 4001

Legislation

The following legislation is available on the Division of Workplace Health and Safety Website (see address above) and can also

be purchased from GoPrint (371 Vulture St, Wooloongabba, Ph: (07) 3246 3399):

Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997

Workplace Health and Safety (Miscellaneous) Regulation 1995

Hazardous Substances Advisory Standard First Aid Advisory Standard

EME