Lung Function Testing
Introduction
Working with certain substances can cause occupational asthma. occupations at risk include bakeries and food processors, beauty services, cleaning services, healthcare services, painters sprayers, repairers (including electronics), welders and woodworkers (including forestry) are all associated with occupational asthma.
Main causes
Isocyanates (eg two-pack spray paints), flour dust, grain dust, glutaraldehyde, wood dust, latex (powdered natural rubber latex gloves), rosin-cored solder fume, laboratory animals or glues and resins can all cause occupational asthma.
There are two levels of Health Surveillance in relation to Lung Function Testing
Lower Level and Higher Level Health Surveillance
Lower Level Health Surveillance
- There is only occasional or potential exposure to a respiratory sensitiser
- Control is adequate
- You decide to move to lower-level surveillance in consultation with your health professional
- Involve a health professional (doctor or nurse) in your health surveillance programme, they will help develop your scheme and train a responsible person.
Higher Level Health Surveillance
- Are exposed to substances in the main causes (above), or substances and processes where occupational asthma is a known problem
- Are working with products labelled R42 ‘May cause sensitisation by inhalation’ (may lead to asthma), or R42/43 ‘May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact
- Have a confirmed case of asthma
Higher Level Health Surveillance could include the following measures
- Assess workers’ respiratory health before they start a relevant job to provide a baseline (perhaps using a questionnaire and lung function assessment)
- Introduce regular testing on an annual basis or as advised by the health professional. This could involve further questionnaires and lung function assessments. The health professional must explain the test results to the individualand report to you on the worker's fitness to work
- Health Surveillance providers should be suitably qualified
- You health providor should interpret the results and identify any need to revise the risk assessment
- You should appoint a responsible person, supported by the health professional, to report any symptoms that occur between tests
- Keep a health record, and encourage workers to keep a copy of their results in case they change jobs
- Keep simple attendance records to identify any patterns in sick absence
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