Occupational Asthma
What is occupational asthma?
Asthma is an inflammation of the lungs causing narrowing of the airways, which results in shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing. Occupational asthma is when your asthma has been caused by your working conditions, or has been made significantly worse by your working conditions.
What are the causes of occupational asthma?
Certain dusts, gases, fumes and vapours can cause occupational asthma. Some of the substances known to be capable of causing asthma are:
- isocyanates found in spray painting, foam moulding, adhesives, making foundry cores and surface coatings used in all types of industry
- dust from flour and grain used in the baking industry, farm work and grain transport
- wood dust from carpentry, joinery and saw milling work
- colophony found in soldering fumes, glues, some cleaners used in electronics and the electrical industry
- dust from latex rubber found in latex gloves used in nursing and dentistry
The main causes of occupational asthma are set out in the Health and Safety Executive’s Asthmagen Compendium which can be accessed at the HSE Website.
What are the symptoms of occupational asthma?
The usual symptoms of occupational asthma include shortness of breath, tight chest, coughing and/or wheezing. It can take weeks, months and sometimes years for occupational asthma to develop.
Current figures suggest that there are 750,000 asthma sufferers who find that things at work make their asthma worse. Aggravation of an asthmatic condition may mean that a person is entitled to compensation.
If you think that you may have breathing problems because of work you should ask yourself:
- Are your symptoms worse during the working week, at work or after work?
- Do your symptoms get worse after work or is your sleep disturbed during the night?
- Do your symptoms get better when you are away from work for a number of days (e.g. when you are on holiday)?
If so, then you may have an occupational asthma claim.
What should I do if I think I have occupational asthma?
If you suspect that you suffer from occupational asthma then you should consult your GP immediately who may refer you to a specialist to determine if you are suffering from occupational asthma.
Occupational asthma may be cured if identified quickly enough. Medicines are available to help control asthma and you should speak to your GP or asthma nurse about asthma control.
Asthma UK has published guidance on how to control your asthma. For instance, the control of asthma can be achieved by avoiding substances that trigger your asthma. You should also know what to do if your symptoms get worse.
Can I make a claim?
You can make a claim if you suspect you have occupational asthma you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Call us on 0800 0384 384 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Industrial Illness Solicitors who will discuss with you your condition and assist you with making a claim.