Kim Boggins

OH Director

a pipe dream

Respiratory problems construction

Occupational Asthma

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Silocosis

Types of dust particles

Inhalable dust, airborne material breathed into

airways and deposits in the respiratory tract.

Inhalable dust is usually cleared by mucus.

Respirable dust is finer material that is small

enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

Construction Activities

Cutting kerbstones Stone Masonry Tunnelling Crushing and screening demolition

material Cleaning a removing rubble Chasing out mortar before repointing

ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease

Acts about

COPD more common in later life.

It is likely that over a million individuals have

COPD in Great Britain. Over 25,000 deaths

from COPD each year. Research shows 15% of

COPD is likely to be

work related.

What happens when you have COPD

COPD, causes damage to the lungs resulting

In difficulty blowing air out, this causes shortness

Of breath.

Symptoms of COPD

Inside the lungs, COPD can clog the airways and damage the tiny, balloon-like sacs (alveoli) that absorb oxygen. These changes can cause the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath in everyday activities Wheezing Chest tightness Constant coughing Producing a lot of mucous (sputum)

Your lungs

Diagnosis: Spirometry breath test

Spirometry is the main test for COPD. It measures how much air you can move in and out of your lungs and how quickly you do it. You take a deep breath and blow as hard as you can into a tube.

Spirometry can find problems even before you have symptoms of COPD. It also helps determine the stage of COPD.

Normal lung function.

Example;

Male, height

Forced Lung capacity =

% predicted results 80-120%

Forced expired volume 1 second =

% predicted results 80-120%

Results individual with COPD

Male

Age 46

Height 179

No declared symptoms.

Forced Vital Capacity 56 % predicted values

Forced expired volume 1 second 55% predicted

values.

Smoking the facts, the good news

In 1972 just under half of adults in the UK were smokers.

By 1990 this had fallen to just under a third.

At present, about a sixth of UK adults are smokers.

Reducing the risks at work

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cnseries.htm

Advise on reducing work activities for silica

Reducing the risk

Provide appropriate respiratory protective

equipment where exposure can not be prevented.

Provide appropriate health surveillance as

required by COSHH.

Encourage employees to give up smoking.