49 Melford Court,
Hardwick Grange,
Woolston,
Warrington,
Cheshire.
WA1 4RZ
Telephone: 01925 838350
Fax: 01925 838351
Email: mail@soundadviceltd.co.uk
Occupational Asthma
What are the Causes of Occupational Asthma?
At Risk Industries
Here are just a few industries most at risk of breathing problems
- Motor Vehicle Repairers
- Bakeries & Food Processors
- Beauty Services
- Cleaning Services
- Healthcare Services
- Painters
- Welders & Woodworkers
Nationwide Coverage
With a fleet of purpose built mobile medical units, each fitted with an IAC hearing test booth, our services are brought to your doorstep, enabling the required services to be carried out with the minimum amount of disruption to your business. Therefore saving your company valuable time and money.
Isocyanates (2 Pack Spray Paints)
Isocyanate (typically in 2-pack paints) is the most common cause of occupational asthma. It also causes dermatitis.
It affects workers spraying 2-pack (2K) isocyanate paints in motor vehicle repair and in motor and semi-trailer manufacture.
Top tips
- Spraying produces a lot of invisible mist. Never spray outside the booth.
- Your booth takes time to clear of mist so measure the clearance time and make sure everyone knows it.
- Always wear air-fed breathing apparatus (BA) while spray mist is present.
- You need regular health surveillance.
Reduce disease - reduce exposure to isocyanate mist
You breathe isocyanate mist when you raise your BA visor to check the paint film quality, or prime or wash out the gun by spraying without wearing BA.
Maintain the booth and BA regularly and keep unprotected persons out of the spraying areas.
More information for employers
You can find more guidance and information on the Asthma publications pages on the HSE website. These also contain information on isocyanate use in other sectors.Summary - Case Study taken by HSE
Two workers from an electroplating factory had symptoms that suggested occupational asthma. The diagnosis was confirmed by lung function tests in the workplace. But the cause was unknown.
Then a worker produced a safety data sheet describing a lacquer containing isocyanates. This lacquer was used to coat the silver-plated goods and then cured in an oven.
HSE investigation
HSE confirmed that isocyanates were being used, and the employer was exceeding the workplace exposure limits. Testing with cheap smoke tubes showed contaminated air from the ovens was reaching the workers.
The employer installed fume extraction. This dramatically reduced the levels of isocyanates in the working environment.
Effects
One of the workers took early retirement on medical grounds, with compensation for occupational asthma due to isocyanates. The second worker had to change employment and applied for compensation.
Contact us
Contact us now on 01925 838350 and speak to one of our advisers for further advice on your company's needs.
Tel: (01925) 838350 - Fax: (01925) 838351 - Email: mail@soundadviceltd.co.uk