OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA Worker Guide pptx

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA Worker Guide October 2000 QUEENSLAND Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 2 of 9 October 2000 Contents 1. ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA 3 1.1 What is asthma? 3 1.2 What is occupational asthma? 3 1.3 Occupational asthma from sensitisation 3 1.4 Irritant induced occupational asthma 3 1.5 Symptoms of occupational asthma 3 1.6 Work-aggravated asthma 4 2. OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA AND YOU 5 2.1 Introduction 5 2.2 Risk Management 5 2.3 Information and training 5 2.4 Self-reporting 6 2.5 First aid 6 3. CHECKLISTS 7 3.1 Introduction 7 3.2 Sensitisers 7 3.3 Irritants 8 FURTHER INFORMATION 9 Asthma Queensland 9 Division of Workplace Health and Safety 9 Legislation 9 Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 3 of 9 October 2000 1. About occupational asthma 1.1 What is asthma? ! Asthma is a condition of the lungs, which can be caused by breathing in certain substances known to be sensitisers and irritants. ! Asthma occurs when: " the inside lining of the airways become red and swollen (inflamed) " the muscle around the airways tighten. This makes it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs. ! This results in one or more of the following symptoms: " shortness of breath " tightness of the chest " coughing (dry or with mucus) " wheezing. 1.2 What is occupational asthma? Occupational asthma is asthma that is caused by breathing in a respiratory sensitiser or irritant at the workplace . 1.3 Occupational asthma from sensitisation ! A respiratory sensitiser is a substance which, when breathed in, can cause an allergic response in the airways of the lungs. ! Occupational asthma from sensitisation is usually the result of numerous exposures to a sensitiser, over a period of time. ! Symptoms do not usually appear after the first exposure to the sensitiser. The time taken for symptoms to appear varies greatly – from weeks to years. ! Once sensitisation has occurred: " subsequent exposure to the same sensitiser, even to very small amounts, will produce symptoms " continued exposure to the same sensitiser can result in increasingly severe symptoms and possibly permanent asthma " exposure to another trigger, such as cigarette smoke, may also produce symptoms. ! See section 3 of this booklet for a list of some of the sensitisers that may cause occupational asthma and some of the occupations most at risk. 1.4 Irritant induced occupational asthma ! A respiratory irritant is a substance which, when breathed in, can cause irritation to the airways of the lungs. ! Irritant induced asthma is usually the result of a single, very high exposure to an irritant - often the result of an accident (eg chemical spill) or poorly designed work procedures. ! Usually, symptoms appear within 24 hours of exposure. ! See section 3 of this booklet for a list of some of the irritants that may cause occupational asthma and some of the occupations most at risk. 1.5 Symptoms of occupational asthma ! Symptoms of occupational asthma: " often occur at night and you may not associate them with work, but may occur during the working day Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 4 of 9 October 2000 " vary across the working shift or week, usually worsening towards the end of the week " usually improve over a few days off work, over weekends or holidays. ! If occupational asthma is identified early enough and appropriate action is taken, there is a good chance that the symptoms will decrease and, in many cases disappear. 1.6 Work-aggravated asthma ! If you already have asthma it may be worsened or aggravated by environmental conditions at the workplace. ! Some of the agents at the workplace that may aggravate asthma include: " sensitisers, eg pollens, moulds, dust mites " irritants, eg tobacco smoke " changes in temperature " exertion eg exercise " emotions eg distress, excitement. Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 5 of 9 October 2000 2. Occupational asthma and you 2.1 Introduction ! You have a right to health and safety at work. This includes the right not to be exposed to substances, including hazardous substances, that may cause occupational asthma. ! Your employer has an obligation, under section 28 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 , to ensure the health and safety of each of their workers at work. This means your employer must take steps to eliminate, or at least minimise, exposure to substances that may cause occupational asthma. ! However, you must follow safety instructions given by your employer and you must wear any personal protective equipment provided by your employer, if you have been properly instructed in its use. 2.2 Risk Management Hazard identification ! Your employer needs to: " find out if there are any sensitisers or irritants at the workplace which can cause occupational asthma and " tell you what these sensitisers and irritants are. ! If any of these substances are hazardous substances, you have a right to see the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for these substances. ! Ask your employer for information about the substances used at your workplace eg solvents, latex, epoxy resins. See the list at the end of this guide for further examples. Risk assessment ! Your employer needs to: " determine whether these substances are likely to cause occupational asthma and " tell you the results of the risk assessment. ! Your employer may also need to carry out: " workplace monitoring to determine the possible level of exposure to a hazardous substance " health surveillance to find out if a worker's health is being affected by exposure to the hazardous substances. Control measures ! Your employer must: " implement controls that will eliminate, or at least reduce the risks associated with sensitisers and irritants at the workplace " tell you what these controls are and tell you how to use them correctly. ! For example, your employer may provide you with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as a face mask, to minimise exposure to sensitisers such as flour dust. ! You must use the control measures provided by your employer. ! You should report defects in control measures, eg faulty extraction ventilation. 2.3 Information and training ! If you may be exposed to a hazardous substance your employer must provide induction and ongoing training about the substance and the controls for it. ! Your employer may also provide information and training on other substances that may cause occupational asthma. Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 6 of 9 October 2000 2.4 Self-reporting ! Your employer should: " provide you with a procedure for reporting symptoms " tell you how to use this procedure " encourage you and other workers to use this procedure. ! If you have symptoms of occupational asthma you should: " report the symptoms, as soon as you become aware of them, to one or more of the following: – your employer or supervisor – first aid personnel – the occupational nurse – the Workplace Health and Safety Officer – your family doctor – an occupational asthma specialist. " use the procedure for reporting symptoms of occupational asthma, if there is one at your workplace " ask to be removed from the problem environment. ! If you have any concerns about occupational asthma at your workplace you should raise them with: " your employer or supervisor " the Workplace Health and Safety Officer " the health and safety representative " the workplace health and safety committee. 2.5 First aid ! If you have asthma you should: " bring your personal asthma medication, ie reliever (blue inhaler - eg Ventolin, Asmol, Airomir, Bricanyl) to work. " learn how to use the 4 STEP EMERGENCY ASTHMA CARE on the last page – this page may be copied and enlarged and placed in a visible location, eg the first aid room. ! Your workplace must have first aid equipment and facilities readily available for use. ! The first aid kit should include a spacer (eg Volumatic, Nebuhaler) for use with each worker’s personal reliever. You should have access to trained first aid personnel. Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 7 of 9 October 2000 3. Checklists 3.1 Introduction ! This section outlines: " some of the common sensitisers and irritants that may cause occupational asthma " occupations most at risk. ! There are many other sensitisers and irritants which may cause occupational asthma. For more information contact the Division of Workplace Health and Safety (see details on the last page of this guide). 3.2 Sensitisers Many substances can cause respiratory sensitisation. There are three common groups: 1. substances of plant origin 2. substances of animal origin 3. substances of chemical origin. 1. Common substances of plant origin Agent Occupations most at risk grain dust and flour colophony resin western red cedar dust and other woods latex tea and coffee dusts hay cotton millers, bakers electronics workers woodworkers health care workers packing workers farm and produce workers cotton ginnery workers 2. Common substances of animal origin Agent Occupations most at risk laboratory animal dust bird products shellfish & crustaceans detergent enzymes insects (eg silkworms) cockroaches animal carers poultry farmers processors soap powder workers silkworkers entomologists 3. Common substances of chemical origin Agent Occupations most at risk glutaraldehyde diisocyanates epoxy resin aluminium pot- room fume metal salts, platinum, cobalt, nickel nurses, poultry farmers, vets, dark room workers spray painters, polyurethane foam manufacturers spray painters smelter workers metal platers, processors Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 8 of 9 October 2000 3.3 Irritants Irritant induced asthma often follows a single, very high exposure to substances that are common to many workplaces. The following is a list of some of the known respiratory irritants. Some known irritants Solvent vapours Corrosive mists: – acid mist Irritant gases: – hydrogen chloride – ammonia – chlorine – sulphur dioxide – nitrogen dioxide etc Irritant particles: – dust – smoke Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety Page 9 of 9 October 2000 Further Information Asthma Queensland Asthma Queensland can: " arrange asthma education and training sessions " provide asthma information, resources, guidance and support " answer specific queries – call the number below to speak to a trained asthma adviser. Phone: - 1800 645 130 (not available from mobile phones) - (07) 3252 7677 Fax: (07) 3257 1080 Email: admin@asthmaqld.org.au Website: www.asthmaqld.org.au Division of Workplace Health and Safety Phone: 1300 369 915 Fax: (07) 3247 4519 Website: www.detir.qld.gov.au , click on Health and Safety Address: PO Box 69 Brisbane QLD 4001 Legislation The following legislation is available on the Division of Workplace Health and Safety Website (see address above) and can also be purchased from GoPrint (371 Vulture St, Wooloongabba, Ph: (07) 3246 3399): Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 Workplace Health and Safety (Miscellaneous) Regulation 1995 Hazardous Substances Advisory Standard First Aid Advisory Standard EMERGENCY ASTHMA CARE Fast Action Saves Lives Continue to repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance. *Use a puffer (ie. Ventolin TM , Airomir, Asmol, or Bricanyl) on its own if no spacer is available. QUEENSLAND For more information about asthma, contact your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 645 130 Disclaimer: The information in this poster is not intended to replace individual medical advice. . OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA Worker Guide October 2000 QUEENSLAND Occupational Asthma Worker Guide Workplace Health and Safety. ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA 3 1.1 What is asthma? 3 1.2 What is occupational asthma? 3 1.3 Occupational asthma from sensitisation 3 1.4 Irritant induced occupational