Working with Respiratory Sensitisers
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What are respiratory sensitisers?
A respiratory sensitiser is a substance which, when it is breathed in, can lead to occupational asthma, which is an allergic reaction in the lungs. Once a person has developed asthma (or has been 'sensitised'), any further exposure to the substance can produce the same reaction. You may not develop asthma immediately after working with a substance. Instead it can happen gradually after several months or even years of inhaling the substance. Sensitised employees cannot continue to be exposed to the substance because this can permanently damage the lungs and the symptoms will become increasingly severe. Many common substances found in the workplace can cause asthma, such as flour, wood dust, and the fumes from welding or spray painting. For this reason, precautions must be taken to prevent the damage to health in the first place.
What do respiratory sensitisers mean for staff?
The symptoms of occupational asthma are:
- asthma attacks (coughing, wheezing and chest tightness);
- runny or stuffy nose, and watering or prickly eyes.
You need to be aware of the risks of working with respiratory sensitisers so that you can ensure you are not put at risk. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. However, if you do develop any of the symptoms, you need to tell your line manager and union safety representative immediately.
What are employers' responsibilities?
Your employer must carry out an assessment of the risks to health caused by work that is likely to involve exposure to respiratory sensitisers. If there is any risk to you, your employer must take action by removing the sensitiser or, if that is not possible, looking at preventing exposure by enclosing the process, improving ventilation, or, as a last resort, providing protective equipment.
Because employees who have become sensitised to a specific substance are generally not advised to work with the substance again, your employer should look at giving you other work that does not involve any risk of further exposure. This may be required by the Equality Act 2010.
If occupational asthma is confirmed it must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, the important thing is to prevent exposure in the first place as sensitised individuals can become severely disabled by occupational asthma.
What help is available for employees?
The HSE website provides a range of information on how to prevent exposure to respiratory sensitisers at work.
The TUC has a number of resources on its website. You should also contact your union or health and safety representative for advice if you have any issues relating to asthma.
The Health for Work Adviceline provides immediate advice to employers, health and safety representatives and employees on a range of issues including respiratory sensitisers in the workplace, along with guidance on where to go for further help.
For more information about respiratory sensitisers, or for guidance on other employee health issues, please contact the free Health for Work Adviceline on 0800 077 88 44.
Further sources of information
- The British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) has a guide for employers, workers and their representatives.
- If you have developed asthma and need support contact asthma UK.
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