Breathing in certain dusts, gases, fumes and vapours within the workplace can cause asthma. Asthma is a very serious health problem that can ruin lives. Shortness of breath, wheezing and painful coughing are just some of the symptoms that occupational asthma sufferers may have to deal with every day.

Symptoms of Occupational Asthma

Asthma is a serious health problem. Symptoms include severe shortness of breath that can stop you from doing the simplest tasks. Imagine not being able to carry your shopping or walk up the stairs or even play with your children. Some sufferers are unable to work again.

Other symptoms include wheezing, coughing and chest tightness.

The symptoms can develop right after exposure to a workplace substance. But sometimes symptoms appear several hours later, even at night. This can make any link with workplace activities unclear.

Causes of Occupational Asthma

Occupational asthma is an allergic reaction that can occur in some people when they are exposed to substances, for example flour or wood dust in the workplace.

These substances are called 'respiratory sensitisers' or asthmagens. They can cause a change in people’s airways, known as the 'hypersensitive state'. Not everyone who becomes sensitised goes on to get asthma. But once the lungs become hypersensitive, further exposure to the substance, even at quite low levels, may trigger an attack.

Work-related asthma or asthma made worse by work is broader and includes substances in the workplace that irritate the airways of individuals with pre-existing asthma. This includes people who have had asthma since childhood. Respiratory irritants may trigger attacks in those with occupational asthma or pre-existing asthma.

Employers are under a duty to carry out risk assessments, minimise exposure and provide suitable respiratory protection. Failure to do so can lead workers developing asthma.

Commonly affected occupations

• Bakers can be exposed to high levels of flour dust which if inhaled can cause respiratory problems.

• Vehicle paint sprayers: Isocyanate (typically in 2-pack paints) is the most common cause of occupational asthma. It affects workers spraying 2-pack (2K) isocyanate paints in motor vehicle repair and in motor and semi-trailer manufacture.• Solderers: Rosin based solder flux fume is caused when soldering. This fume is a top cause of occupational asthma. It affects workers in the electronics and assembly industries.

• Woodworkers. Hardwood, softwood and wood composite dusts arise in wood machining and sanding. They are a common cause of occupational asthma. Asthma affects workers in the furniture and joinery industries.

• Healthcare workers. Natural rubber latex (NRL) contains proteins that can cause asthma and dermatitis. Powdered latex gloves make the proteins easy to breathe in when the gloves are put on and taken off. These gloves are a common cause of occupational asthma.

• Laboratory animal workers. Animal fur, feathers, dander, dried urine and saliva dusts arise through animal handling and cage or enclosure cleaning. These dusts contain proteins, 'animal aeroallergens', that cause occupational asthma.

• Agricultural Workers: Grain dust rises from harvesting, moving and processing cereal crops. Grain dust causes occupational asthma. Along with farm workers, others at risk include those moving cereals, e.g. dockworkers, millers and workers in maltings; also maintenance engineers.

• Engineering Workers: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) can cause occupational asthma if you inhale the or vapour generated during machining/shaping operations.

Compensation

The aim for a successful claim for compensation for occupational asthma is to put the injured worker back in the position in which they would have been if the accident had not occurred or the condition had not developed.

If you are suffering from occupational asthma sustained as a result of your working conditions, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

We have specialist solicitors who can deal with your claim and take away the worry and the stress and seek compensation on your behalf.