Live issues

Targets

HSE is committed to reducing the number of cases of occupational asthma by targeting key workers who are at greatest risk of getting the disease through work

Asthma statistics

Since 2000 statistics indicate that there has been a decrease in the number of reported cases of occupational asthma.
The occupations with the highest incidence rates include bakers and vehicle paint sprayers.

The most commonly cited cause of occupational asthma was isocyanates followed by flour.

You can find more detailed information on the statistics website.

Asthma Charter

On 17 November 2008 Asthma UK launched their revised workplace charter: “Asthma at Work – Your Charter”. The Charter set out five recommendations to reduce the impact of asthma in the workplace.

The Charter provides information on asthma triggers and symptoms, instructions on what to do if someone is having an asthma attack and guidelines for employers on making the work environment an asthma friendly zone.

Key recommendations in the revised Charter include:

• Protecting employers from triggers and from substances that might cause people to develop asthma
• Increasing health monitoring where employees are exposed to substances that are known to increase the risk of developing asthma

The Asthma UK website provides more information on the Charter.

COSHH Regulations

These implement the EU Chemical Agents Directive. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, require employers to prevent or control exposures to hazardous substances to protect employees’ health.

There is also a specific Approved Code of Practice for The control of substances that cause occupational asthma. You can download the asthma appendix to the ACoP free.

COSHH Essentials

HSE continues to develop guidance on the main causes of occupational asthma by industry sector. You can download control guidance sheets from COSHH Essentials.

Alternatively, seek specialist help (e.g. from the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).

British Occupational Health Research Foundation

In 2004 the British Occupational Health Research Foundation’s (BOHRF) published an Evidence based review and guidelines on identification, management and prevention of occupational asthma.

The intent of the guidelines is to improve the prevention, identification and management of occupational asthma in primary care and in occupational health settings by providing evidence-based recommendations on which future practice and management can be based. In Autumn 2009 the BOHRF guidelines will be updated to take account of advances in research made since 2004.