Inhalation disorders: training for employees

Contents What’s the issue? What’s the issue in our organisation? Why should we deal with inhalation problems? What are my employer’s responsibilities? What are my responsibilities? What should I do if I develop inhalation problems? Where can I find out more?

What’s the issue? The air in some workplaces contains hazardous substances in the form of dusts, fumes, gases and vapours If workers inhale them, they can cause breathing problems, or have a harmful effect on other parts of the body

What’s the issue? Symptoms can vary from mild and irritating to severe, chronic, debilitating, even death Cancer of the respiratory tract can be lethal Not all inhalation problems are caused by work Source:

What’s the issue? Inhalation problems include: irritation asthma rhinitis chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) byssinosis pneumoconiosis extrinsic allergic alveolitis cancer (including mesothelioma) inhalation fever infections asphyxiation

What’s the issue? Asthma One of the most common respiratory diseases Between 9 and 15 per cent of asthma in UK adults is due to occupational factors It’s characterised by periodic inflammation of the bronchi and tightening of the muscles surrounding them Source:

What’s the issue? Common causes of asthma include: chemicals, such as isocyanates and acid anhydrides biological material, such as flour dust and certain proteins Source:

What’s the issue? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Approximately 15% of COPD is work-related Approximately 4,000 deaths a year are caused by past exposure to dusts, chemicals and fumes Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD The most common cause is smoking Source:

What’s the issue? Common causes of COPD include: coal dust grain and flour dust silica dust welding fumes Some of these substances can also cause other diseases

What’s the issue in our organisation? Use the supplementary slide here to insert your own data Estimate of number of people exposed to inhalation risk factors Number of cases… Number of days’ work lost Insert your organisation name or logo here

Why should we deal with skin disorders? Legal – responsibility under health and safety law Moral – obligation as a good employer Financial – dealing with skin problems reduces sickness absence levels and saves money

What are my employer’s responsibilities? The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees while at work The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the employer to assess risks and, where necessary, take action to ensure and safeguard health and safety, including health surveillance, if appropriate

What are my employer’s responsibilities? The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended 2004) require employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health

What are my employer’s responsibilities? Under COSHH, employers must: carry out a risk assessment (Reg 6) control exposure to hazardous substances (Reg 7) have appropriate control measures, and make sure they’re maintained (Regs 8 and 9) provide employees with health surveillance (Reg 11) give employees education, instruction and training (Reg 12)

What are my employer’s responsibilities? Under appendix 3 of the accompanying Approved Code of Practice: exposure to substances with the potential to cause occupational asthma should be prevented, or exposure reduced as far as is reasonably practicable

What are my employer’s responsibilities? Workplace exposure limits (WELs) are occupational exposure limits set under COSHH to help protect the health of workers Where principles of good practice for control are applied, exposure should be below any relevant WEL

What are my employer’s responsibilities? There are separate requirements for asbestos and lead: the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002

What are my employer’s responsibilities? Under RIDDOR 1995,* all cases of occupational respiratory disease that are confirmed by a doctor must be reported to the HSE * Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

How can we deal with inhalation problems? My employer needs to check: which agents in the workplace could cause inhalation problems suppliers’ labels and literature safety data sheets produced by manufacturers

How can we deal with inhalation problems? My employer needs to: consider eliminating the use of hazardous substances consider using ‘safer’ substances control exposure by using engineering controls, eg automation, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation consider modifying processes to minimise exposure set up good working practices provide suitable breathing protection equipment

What are my responsibilities? You have a duty to take care of your health and safety Report any respiratory problems Take part in the risk assessment process Read management communications Ask for information (data sheets, labels) on the substances you use Use the controls properly, including breathing protection equipment Attend training Attend for lung function tests and health surveillance when asked to do so

What should I do if I develop inhalation problems? Speak to your manager and/or safety representative Visit your GP or occupational health department at work

What should I do if I develop inhalation problems? Don’t ignore the problem and struggle on Don’t assume that it will eventually disappear – it’s more likely to get worse

Where can I find out more? The HSE has a free leaflet ‘Breathe freely: a workers’ information card on occupational asthma’ * Asthma UK † and the British Lung Foundation ‡ have useful information on occupational lung disease, including asthma and COPD * † ‡

IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals. We have over 37,000 members worldwide, including more than 13,000 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners. The Institution was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance on health and safety issues. IOSH is formally recognised by the ILO as an international non-governmental organisation. The IOM is a major independent centre of scientific excellence in the fields of occupational and environmental health, hygiene and safety. We were founded as a charity in 1969 by the UK coal industry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh and became fully independent in Our mission is to benefit those at work and in the community by providing quality research, consultancy and training in health, hygiene and safety and by maintaining our independent, impartial position as an international centre of excellence.