What is Occupational Asthma?
Occupational asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways; this is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Asthma at work can be caused by a variety of things, namely in the inhalation of hazardous or toxic dusts, gases, fumes and vapours. These inhaled substances can the damage the lining of the lungs resulting in shortness of breath (dyspnea), wheezing and painful coughing. Occupational asthma can also surface as an allergic reaction to certain airborne substances such as flour or wood dust. Substances like these are known as ‘respiratory sensitisers’ or asthmagens; these can cause changes in the airways of affected individuals known as the ‘hypersensitive state’. Once the lungs become hypersensitive, continued exposure to the substance, even at low levels, can elicit an attack.
Occupational asthma symptoms can develop immediately after exposure to a substance at work. In some cases however, symptoms may not appear until several hours later, possibly at night. This can sometimes make any link with workplace activities unclear.
According to statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the number of occupational asthma cases has declined since 2000. Occupations that see the highest rate of occupational asthma incidence are bakers and vehicles paint sprayers, where the most common root causes were isocyanates (involved in the production of polyurethanes) followed by flour.
What Causes Occupational Asthma?
There are a variety of known occupational asthma causes, many of which are due to hazardous substance exposure. Your employer however, has a legal responsibility to minimise the risk of this exposure. In instances where it is not possible to prevent these hazardous substances from becoming airborne, the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used to prevent inhalation. These can include respirators, air filtration systems as well as a variety of other working techniques.
Symptoms of Asthma at Work
If you suffer from asthma at work, the symptoms will be obvious. Severe shortness of breath is the most common symptom and this can prevent you from completing even the most simple tasks. Other symptoms can also include wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Other associated conditions include rhinitis (sneezing/runny nose) and conjunctivitis (itchy and inflamed red eyes). The symptoms experienced will range in severity; some victims will find the symptoms to be manageable with drug therapy; whilst others will find the condition debilitating, where even the smallest amount of activity will render them unable to do anything further.
For many occupational asthma sufferers, this is frustrating and difficult. In severe cases some victims can feel almost helpless. So if you feel that you might be affected by occupational asthma, you are well within your rights to begin making an asthma compensation claim.
Occupational Asthma Treatment
The treatment of asthma at work revolves primarily around a management regime. Avoiding known triggers and taking a number of medications. The medications used to treat asthma come in two general classes: quick-relief medications to treat acute symptoms; and long-term control medications to prevent further exacerbation. These medications are commonly provided as metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) with a spacer or dry powder inhaler. The spacer is often a plastic cylinder that mixes the medication with air so that it can be more easily inhaled; allowing the user to receive a full dose of the drug. In some cases, a nebulizer may also be used. Spacers and nebulizers are equally effective in treating mild to moderate symptoms.
Where occupational asthma is unresponsive to normal medications, other treatments are available for managing attacks and preventing flare-ups. In the event of an asthma attack, oxygen can be used to alleviate hypoxia if saturations fall below 92%. Magnesium sulfate used as an intravenous treatment provides a bronchodilating effect when used in combination with other treatments, Heliox, a mixture of helium and oxygen, may also be considered in severe unresponsive cases.
Asthma Compensation Claims
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, require employers to prevent or to control exposures to hazardous substances to protect employees’ health. The Health and Safety Executive also provides an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for the control of substances that can cause occupational asthma.
Employers are also bound to a variety of other legislative pieces that clearly define their legal duty of care to their employees. Generally speaking, it is their responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for staff. Where this is not possible Personal Protective Equipment and training must be issued to reduce these risks as much as is practically possible. Where such care is not provided, the employer is being negligent in their duties.
These legal obligations are very clear, so if you fall victim to asthma at work as a result of their negligence, they are liable to pay compensation to make amends. Occupational asthma is frustrating at the least, and debilitating in severe cases. This will have negative consequences for your day-to-day life, as well as for your performance at work. For these reasons, it is imperative that you begin a claim for occupational asthma compensation as soon as you feel that you might be affected.
You should speak with a specialist industrial disease solicitor so that they can begin compiling a case. If you instruct us to handle your claim, we will collate all of the required evidence and medical proof to substantiate your claim whilst providing expert support and advice throughout the process; saving you from all the hard work.
We understand that being diagnosed with occupational asthma can be stressful, and that the resulting time off work and loss of income can be frustrating. No one knows this better than our expert industrial disease solicitors. Here at Beacon Law, we can provide assistance for any occupational asthma case. By speaking to us, you will be guaranteed to receive the utmost care and attention whilst we deal with your claim.