Work related asthma can be avoided says HSENI

Work related asthma can be avoided, the Chair of the Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) said today.

Liam McBrinn was addressing delegates at a Conference for employers, employees and their representatives to look at occupationally-caused asthma and what can be done to prevent employees suffering from this condition.

In Northern Ireland, over 4,000 people are estimated to suffer from asthma that has been caused or made worse by work. In 2002 there were 35 deaths from asthma in the province.

“What we should never lose sight of is that behind these statistics are individuals and families who are suffering,” Mr McBrinn said. “It’s been reported that employees who are forced to leave their employment because of occupational asthma, and who are lucky enough to find new work face a drop in their income of approximately 20%.

“We all agree that workers have a legitimate expectation that they will not be harmed by their job and will leave their factory workbench, hospital ward or bakery at least as healthy as when they arrived.”

Also addressing today’s Conference on Asthma in the Workplace, the Federation of Small Businesses urged employers not to ignore the problem of occupational Asthma among their employees

Glyn Roberts, FSB Parliamentary Officer said: "Controlling asthmagens in the workplace is an important step in reducing the development of occupational asthma among employees.

“We need to make sure that employees in Northern Ireland are given more protection from things that can cause and trigger asthma. The work-place should be a safe environment for all employees."

Asthma is a long-term, chronic and debilitating disease and work-related exposure is estimated to be the cause of asthma in one in ten sufferers.

(MB/SP)