There
is increasing awareness of this issue in the workplace. HSE have
produced a video to raise the awareness of this issue and later
this year (2002) they are due to publish a new code or practice
on occupational asthma. A range of substances (sensitisers) can
cause occupational asthma, e.g. flour, isocyanates, soluble platinum
salts, etc.
We feel
that it is important to raise the level of awareness of this topic
in the relevant workplaces. Accordingly we have an awareness programme
consisting of a PowerPoint presentation, HSE video, understanding
of an appropriate medical screening programme which includes computerised
Vitalograph lung function testing and training record. People
are given an understanding of the issues and accompanying screening
procedure’s and are encouraged to report any relevant symptoms
to use as soon as reasonably practicable.
