Many people assume that asthma is purely a genetic condition, but did you know that it may also result from environmental exposure? Working in an environment with airborne irritants can cause employees to develop work-related asthma, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to long-term lung damage.
As an employer, you are responsible for implementing safety measures to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses among your employees. Learn how to prevent work-related asthma in the workplace, then explore how WorkSafe can help you promote occupational health in Wichita, KS.
How Does Asthma Arise in the Workplace?
A person can develop asthma for a range of reasons. In some cases, it may be due to a person’s genetic predisposition or a childhood infection, such as RSV or the flu. People with certain allergic conditions, such as eczema or hay fever, may also be more likely to develop asthma.
However, anyone who is exposed to regular environmental irritants can also develop the condition. This is known as work-related or occupational asthma. It develops when a person’s immune system becomes overreactive to environmental triggers, such as chemicals, dust, or vapors at work. Their body produces more mucus, and their airway muscles tighten in response to these stimuli, leading to asthma.
A few asthma symptoms that a worker might notice include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Increased mucus in the airways
- Wheezing
A worker might experience these symptoms more severely while at work or within a few hours of leaving work. Their symptoms might improve over the weekend or while they are on vacation.
Who Is At Risk of Developing Work-Related Asthma?
Workers with frequent exposure to airborne irritants may be the most likely to develop work-related asthma without the proper mitigation strategies in place. This includes workers across industries like:
- Manufacturing (exposure to chemicals, VOCs, vapors, chemical dusts, etc.)
- Healthcare (exposure to cleaning chemicals, aerosolized medicines, and latex)
- Construction (exposure to emission fumes, paint, mold, adhesives, sawdust, etc.)
- Agriculture (exposure to pollen, pesticides, chemicals, and mold)
- Beauty (exposure to dyes, chemicals, adhesives, etc.)
A person who is already allergic to certain irritants, such as dust or pet dander, may be more likely to develop asthma if they are consistently exposed to that contaminant at work.
Preventing Work-Related Asthma Through the Hierarchy of Controls
Taking steps to prevent workers from developing work-related asthma can help you maintain a safe and healthy workplace, reduce the use of sick time, and mitigate potential workers’ compensation claims due to job-related illnesses.
The CDC recommends that employers use the “hierarchy of controls” to help prevent health risks in the workplace. This includes evaluating hazards and taking the highest level of control you reasonably can to mitigate them.
The hierarchy is as follows:
- Elimination: Removing the hazardous materials or processes
- Substitution: Replacing the hazardous materials or processes with something safer
- Engineering controls: Separating people from the hazard, such as through local exhaust ventilation
- Administrative controls: Adjusting the way people work with the hazard
- PPE: Protecting workers through personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respiratory protection
The CDC notes that respiratory protective equipment should not be the only method used to protect workers against airborne irritants that cause work-related asthma. Employers should combine PPE with any other methods in the hierarchy to reduce the risk as much as possible.
Using Medical Surveillance To Prevent Asthma Progression
Workplaces that regularly expose workers to airborne irritants can also consider using medical surveillance to monitor workers for symptoms of this condition. Medical surveillance involves monitoring for health problems occurring in the workplace and tracking individual employees for signs and symptoms of those conditions.
For example, you may conduct periodic screenings to evaluate workers for early signs of work-related asthma. Catching earlier stages of the condition can allow you to implement interventions before it worsens and potentially causes long-term lung issues. You could set up an asthma management plan that limits the worker’s exposure to irritants or uses other exposure control measures.
Contact WorkSafe for Assistance With Work-Related Asthma Prevention
If you are concerned about your employees developing work-related asthma, WorkSafe can help you mitigate this risk. We offer a range of services to help employers prevent and manage work injuries, from performing respirator fit tests to conducting physicals.
Our physical therapists and occupational health specialists can help you identify workplace hazards and mitigate them before they turn into injuries or illnesses, saving your business time and money. Learn how WorkSafe can help you today by calling 316-262-8800.