Office workers and Occupational Asthma
January 10, 2012
If your asthma episodes increase, or worsen when you are at work, then you may have occupational asthma. There are many triggers within the workplace that can cause respiratory problems. Respiratory problems caused or exacerbated by work are not necessarily solely related to industry where you are exposed to solvents or chemicals, in fact, the office environment can have a similar impact on your health.
Occupational asthma is defined as ‘a disease characterized by variable airflow obstruction and/or airway hyper-responsiveness due to agents in the working environment’.
How will I know my work is affecting my asthma?
If you think your asthma has been caused by something at work, look out for these clues:
• your asthma symptoms are worse during the working week, at work or after work
• your symptoms may get worse after work, or you may find your sleep is disturbed during the night
• your symptoms improve when you have been away from work for several days (for example when you are on holiday)
If you are noticing that your symptoms are worse after work then your employment may be affecting your health.
What are some of the triggers?
Substances that can cause asthma are known as respiratory sensitisers. The office environment is very different from working in a busy factory with a lot of chemicals however; there are a number of ‘respiratory sensitisers’ that could be harbouring around your desk. Some common asthma triggers in the office setting include:
• mold and fungi (in air ducts, plants and books),
• dust and dust mites (that accumulate on venetian blinds, in boxes and papers in storage rooms, and in carpeting),
• copier fumes (from improperly vented copy machines),
• perfumes and colognes (from co-workers),
• pesticide sprays and cleaning agents
• dust from insects or animals
Within the office environment there are many places that the above asthma triggers can be harbouring. If we are informed that dust and other chemicals within our home are causing us to suffer respiratory difficulties we would make all necessary changes to eliminate them immediately. While you have more control over your environment at home than you do at work, you should still be proactive about identifying asthma attack triggers at your workplace and managing them if you can.
My employer’s duties
Most employers will do what they can to help; also, they are under a duty to undertake risk assessments to ensure a safe working environment. If you don't think that they are doing enough you can:
• raise the issue with the person responsible for health and safety in your workplace
• tell your manager about your concerns
• contact the local HSE office (or the local council environmental health department) for advice on what to do next
Allergies and asthma are both very common problems within society as a whole. The chances are, if you are bothered by a moldy carpet, harbouring dust within the blinds or excessive use of spray cleaning products, someone else may be, too.
It is your employer’s duty to provide a safe working environment for you and if speaking to them about your problems does not get the anticipated response; there is other action that you could take. One possible further action is to speak to your GP, they may be able to write to your employer explaining your condition and advising of the necessary changes that need to be made in your workplace.
If you or anyone you know thinks they may have been affected by respiratory problems caused by work contact Mercury Legal solicitors now, remember we only ever accept cases on a no win no fee basis so even if your case is unsuccessful through no fault of your own you will never be asked to pay any money.
