Occupational Asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition which causes breathing difficulties. Whilst asthma often occurs in childhood, it can start at any age and can be triggered by exposure to substances in the workplace, this is known as occupational asthma.
Causes
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has an extensive list of substances that can cause occupational asthma which includes:
- flour
- latex
- animal hair
- wood dust
- metals
- chemicals
- paint fumes
Symptoms
Asthma can be different for everyone but generally the symptoms are:
- breathlessness
- tightness across the chest
- wheezing
- coughing
Treatment
For occupational asthma, the first thing to do is avoid the trigger. Once someone has become sensitive to a substance, even small amounts of exposure to it can trigger symptoms.
A doctor may also prescribe an inhaler to help with breathing symptoms.
Making a claim for occupational asthma
Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you are safe at work. They should provide you with suitable personal protective equipment and should regularly do risk assessments to keep you and your colleagues safe. If you believe your health has been affected by your workplace and your employer has not done all that they can to prevent this, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
If you think you may have a claim against your employer, contact our expert Industrial Disease team today. They work on a no win, no fee basis and will do everything they can to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today on 01244 312306 or email law@oliverandco.co.uk.
Call and speak to a member of our team on 01244 312306
