HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE
OBUHSN-39 ISSUE 03
APRIL 2009
RESPIRATORY POLICY
CONTENTS
Introduction
Page 39.2
Occupational Asthma
Page 39.2
Dean of Faculty
Director of Directorate Responsibilities
Page 39.3
Staff Responsibilities
Page 39.3
Health Surveillance
Page 39.3
Management of an Affected Individual
Page 39.4
Training and Information
Page 39.5
Appendix
Page 39.6
Respiratory Questionnaire
RESPIRATORY POLICY
INTRODUCTION
1.
This health and safety notice must be read and understood by all
employees of Oxford Brookes University likely to be involved in work
activities that bring them into contact with processes, products or
substances that may have a damaging effect on their breathing.
Where applicable, it should also be read by all members of the student
body.
2.
This policy is written to demonstrate that Oxford Brookes University has
an effective health surveillance programme for any members of staff
who are identified as being exposed to known hazardous substances
during their work activities and early recognition of cases where
previously unsuspected causative agents are being used.
3.
Adequate health surveillance is a requirement under the Control of
Substances Hazardous to health Regulations (COSHH) and
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSW).
Health surveillance involves monitoring staff by implementing
systematic, regular and appropriate procedures to detect early signs of
work-related ill health among those exposed to particular health risks.
4.
The University recognises its responsibility to safeguard the safety
health and welfare of its staff and students. This requires it to take all
practicable measures to ensure that the conditions of work do not
cause, exacerbate or contribute to damage to the lungs or via the lungs
to damage of the internal organs of the body.
OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA
5.
Occupational asthma is an occupational health problem that can result
in severe asthma attacks and chronic disability. The disease is
characterised by attacks of breathlessness, wheezing and coughing.
These symptoms are often accompanied by conjunctivitis (itchy,
inflamed eyes) and rhinitis (blocked or runny nose).
6.
Occupational asthma is caused by an allergic reaction to a specific
substance inhaled by the individual at work. The risk of developing
occupational asthma varies from one substance to another and there is
no clear pattern of exposure leading to the disease although the
greater the exposure to a substance, the greater the likelihood of
developing occupational asthma. The time taken for symptoms to
develop varies between individuals, but in many cases symptoms
develop within a few months of first exposure. Once occupational
asthma due to a particular agent has developed, subsequent exposure
to very low concentrations of the substance can provoke an asthmatic
attack.
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.2
DEAN OF FACULTIES’, DIRECTOR OF DIRECTORATE’S
RESPONSIBILITIES
7.
All Deans of Faculty/Directors of Directorates must ensure that an
adequate workplace COSHH assessment or risk assessment is carried
out to identify the presence of substances known to cause asthma and
other health problems. This responsibility may be delegated to line
managers competent in performing such assessments.
Anyone
exposed to such substances should be referred to Occupational Health
for the appropriate form of health surveillance. Advice regarding risk
assessments may be sought from the health and Safety Division or
from OBUHSN-19.
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
8.
It is the responsibility of all staff working with products or processes
identified as potentially damaging to the lungs to co-operate with the
University in relation to this health and safety notice. In particular this
will include adherence to the agreed working practices, reporting any
problems that arise from the working practices and correct use and
care of personal protective equipment/respiratory protective equipment
PPE/RPE provided.
Detailed information on PPE is given in OBUHSN-21
8.1
It is the responsibility of any member of staff who is supervising
a student working with products or processes identified as
potentially damaging to the lungs to adequately induct the
student in the safe working practice and use of PPE/RPE
provided.
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
9.
Health surveillance is considered appropriate when exposure to a
substance hazardous to health is known to have the potential to cause
an identifiable disease and that there is a reasonable and valid method
of detection available. An occupational health nurse or, where
indicated, an occupational health physician will carry out the health
surveillance.
10.
The precise form of health surveillance required will depend on the
circumstances of exposure and the measures put in place within the
working environment to minimise the effects following the risk
assessment. In most instances the health surveillance will take the
form of the following:
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.3
11.
10.1
A pre-employment or pre-placement medical will be carried out
for any individual in a work environment with known hazardous
substances. This will involve taking history on known allergies,
smoking habit, previous occupational history and any previous
chest problems, Appendix 1. Base-line lung function and peak
flow readings will be taken. The individual will be provided with
information about potential symptoms and to report to
Occupational Health if they suspect they are suffering from
them.
10.2
At 6 weeks after starting work in the area, a questionnaire for
identifying relevant symptoms will be completed together with a
further lung function test, Appendix 2.
10.3
At 12 weeks after starting work in the area, a further
questionnaire for identifying relevant symptoms will be
completed together with a further lung function test, Appendix 2.
10.4
Annually thereafter, the same procedure as at 6 and 12 weeks
will be followed.
It is a requirement under COSHH to keep and maintain a health record
of the health surveillance for at least 40 years from the last date of
entry. Adequate and appropriate records of the health surveillance will
be kept within the Occupational Health Department.
MANAGEMENT OF AN AFFECTED INDIVIDUAL
12.
If a case of occupational asthma is suspected by the outcome of health
surveillance, the individual will be referred to the University’s
Occupational Physician to identify whether the symptoms are likely to
be related to work and the substance likely to be causing the asthma.
Additionally, information will be sought on the individual’s fitness to
continue to work in the same role with or without certain precautions or
whether alternative employment should be sought. If alternative
employment is recommended, every effort will be made by Human
Resources by means of redeployment should appropriate work be
available elsewhere in the University.
13.
The Deans of Faculty/Directors of Directorates will ensure that line
management undertake a review of the COSHH assessment and
control measures in place in the area where the affected individual was
working to consider whether increased controls are necessary.
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.4
14.
In some cases, the use of personal respiratory protective equipment
(RPE) may be sufficient to control exposure and allow the individual to
continue work with no detriment to their health. However, RPE must
only be used as a measure of last resort and in conjunction with other
measures to control exposure. The RPE provided must be properly
fitted and maintained and the individual given adequate training and
information about its use. Such individuals will need to continue with
regular health surveillance to monitor the effectiveness of such control
measures.
TRAINING AND INFORMATION
15.
Appropriate information and training must be provided to enable those
using hazardous substances to comply with the health and safety
measures in place. This training should include general education on
the nature and risks to health of the substances being used and the
precautions to be taken including signs of lung disease, health
surveillance, training in safe working practices, the correct use and
care of PPE/RPE and reporting procedures for any problems identified.
16.
Training is available from the Senior Occupational Health Advisor or
the Safety Officer.
Approved by:
Issued by:
.......................................
(Vice-Chancellor)
......................................
(Safety Officer)
Date:....../......./.....….
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.5
......................................
(Senior Occupational
Health Advisor)
APPENDIX 1
Pre-placement Baseline Respiratory Questionnaire
Section 1
Surname
Forenames
Faculty/Directorate
Length of employment in current role
Do you work with any of the following
Date
Date of Birth
Yes / No
Frequency
Animals/insects
Gluteraldehyde
Wood Dust
Epoxy resins/glues
Iscocyanates
Nickel, cobalt, chromium, platinum
Solder colophony
Latex
Flour / grain
Previous exposure?
Any Exposure at home?
Do you use protective equipment when working
with the substances identified
Yes / No
If so, please give details:
Are you Currently Suffering from?
Yes / No
Periods of breathlessness
Wheezing or chest tightness
Persistent or frequent coughing
Sore or watering eyes
Sneezing, blocked/running nose
Rash or skin irritation
If yes, please give details:
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.6
Have you suffered from any of the following?
Yes / No
Hay fever
Rhinitis
Asthma
Skin conditions (eczema, dermatitis, urticaria)
Allergies to ant substances
If yes, please give details
Have you any blood relatives who suffer from any of the
above?
Yes / No
If yes, please give details
Have you received treatment for any allergic symptoms?
Yes / No
If yes, please give details
Do you smoke
If yes, how many per day?
Are you and ex-smoker?
If and ex-smoker, when did you stop?
Yes / No
Yes / No
Please give details of any previous Occupational Health history
Signature:
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
Date
39.7
Section 2 For departmental use only
PRE-TEST CHECKLIST
Have had any of the following?
Cold air exposure in the last 2 hours?
Shortness of breath on exertion in the last
two hours?
Surgery, in the last 6 months
Medical treatment, current or recent?
Hypertension / hypotension?
Cardio-vascular problems
URTI, current / recent
Cough, current / recent
Ear problem
Last cigarette
Other
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.8
APPENDIX 2 Pre-placement Baseline Respiratory Questionnaire
Section 1
Surname
Forenames
Faculty/Directorate
Date
Date of Birth
Are you still working with any of the following
Yes / No
Animals/insects
Gluteraldehyde
Wood Dust
Epoxy resins/glues
Iscocyanates
Nickel, cobalt, chromium, platinum
Solder colophony
Latex
Flour / grain
Has this increased or decreased?
In the past
months, have you suffered
from any of the following?
Periods of breathlessness
Wheezing or chest tightness
Persistent or frequent coughing
Sore or watering eyes
Sneezing, blocked/running nose
Rash or skin irritation
If yes, please give details:
Signature:
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
Date
39.9
Frequency
Section 2 For departmental use only
PRE-TEST CHECKLIST
Have had any of the following?
Cold air exposure in the last 2 hours?
Shortness of breath on exertion in the last
two hours?
Surgery, in the last 6 months
Medical treatment, current or recent?
Hypertension / hypotension?
Cardio-vascular problems
URTI, current / recent
Cough, current / recent
Ear problem
Last cigarette
Other
OBUHSN-39 Issue 03
39.10