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QUALITY LIVING - Q&A to Asthma at Work |
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I can't do if I have asthma? If you have asthma, there is no reason why you should not do almost any job you wish. You might be limited in some career areas such as the fire service, police service or the armed forces. Regulations are likely to vary from country to country. If you are thinking of a particular job or career, contact the potential employers direct for more information. In addition, you should avoid jobs where you may come into contact with known triggers of your asthma. For example, if your symptoms become worse after contact with dust from woods it would not be sensible to go into carpentry! What is occupational asthma? This is asthma brought on solely by something you have come into contact with at work. It may not happen straight away. This means you could work with the offensive substance for weeks, months or even years before you develop asthma. One study suggests greater than 1000 new cases of occupational asthma a year in the UK. It has now become the most common form of lung disease due to occupation in many industrialised countries. The substances causing the asthma are breathed in; they are called respiratory sensitisers. There are over 200 of these currently known and recognised in the workplace. The table below illustrates some of these alongside the jobs where you are most likely to come across them.
Can occupational asthma be prevented? Occupational asthma can be prevented as long as you are protected from inhaling the respiratory sensitiser(s) at work. Measures of protection in the workplace can include: (1) Isolating you from the substance which puts you at risk, e.g. putting hazardous chemicals in a fume cupboard. (2) Reducing the risk by the use of extractor fans. (3) Using breathing equipment that stops you breathing in the respiratory sensitiser. (4) Removal of any respiratory sensitisers from the workplace if possible, or replacing them with a safe alternative. How do I know if I have occupational asthma? There are a number of clues that your asthma may be due to something at work: (1) You did not suffer asthma before working in this job. (2) Your symptoms are present or worse when you are working. This can be when you are at work, but not always; it may be after work, or even by disturbing your sleep that night. (3) Your symptoms are better when you are away from work, either for a weekend or when you are on holiday. They also return or become worse when you go back to work. If you think you have occupational asthma, you should consult your GP immediately. S/he should then refer you to a specialist to have the diagnosis confirmed. If I have occupational asthma, will I have to leave my job? Not necessarily. However, it is very important that you are re-located away from the substance causing your asthma. Make sure to get all the correct advice and information on the options open to you from your employer and health and safety representative. If you still feel you need more information, go outside work to obtain it. If I leave my job, will I be cured? If your asthma has been caused by something at work, and is identified early enough, there is a good chance your condition will improve or even disappear completely once you are no longer in contact with the offending substance. The longer you remain exposed to the respiratory sensitiser causing your asthma, the more likely the asthma will remain with you. |
Topic "Quality Living" Updated 14th August 2003
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