Inhalation disorders: training for managers

Contents What’s the issue? What’s the issue in our organisation? Why should we deal with inhalation problems? What are our responsibilities? How can we deal with inhalation problems? What next?

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? Work-related lung or breathing problems affect around 142,000 people in the UK 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 – our responsibility under health and safety law Moral – our obligation as a good employer Financial – dealing with skin problems reduces sickness absence levels and saves money

What are our 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 our 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 our responsibilities? Under COSHH, we 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) carry out health surveillance of employees (Reg 11) give employees education, instruction and training (Reg 12)

What are our 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 our 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 the relevant WEL

What are our 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 our 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? Check which agents at work can cause inhalation problems Check suppliers’ labels and literature Check safety data sheets produced by manufacturers

How can we deal with inhalation problems? Consider eliminating the use of hazardous substances Use ‘safer’ substances Control exposure by using engineering controls, eg automation, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation Modify processes to minimise exposure Set up good working practices Provide suitable breathing protection equipment

How can we deal with inhalation disorders? Pre-employment screening to help identify people predisposed to inhalation problems such as asthma Set up a health surveillance system to carry out respiratory checks Regularly check effectiveness of controls Regularly check that breathing protection equipment is appropriate, and used and stored properly

How can we deal with inhalation problems? Revise COSHH assessment when new substances are introduced and you suspect they could cause problems

How can we deal with inhalation problems? Encourage employees to report any respiratory problems to the person responsible for surveillance Provide them with suitable information, eg ‘Breathe freely: a workers’ information card on occupational asthma’  

How can we deal with inhalation problems? Breathing protection equipment Only use respirators tested to European standards Employees should have a ‘fit’ test

What next? Generate a plan for our organisation, eg: identify people at risk – from jobs and tasks carry out risk assessments and record results carry out monitoring decide what health surveillance is appropriate for us provide training investigate any necessary control measures, breathing protection equipment, hygiene For more information, see and

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