Safe Work Australia has reported on a recent research study showing that 47% of male and 40% of female workers are exposed to one or more asthmagens in their workplace.
Asthmagens are substances that is related to the development of asthma symptons. Occupational asthma is an allergic reaction that can affect workers who are exposed to asthmagens at work.
The study examined the types of work and workers most likely to be exposed to asthmagens in their workplace and that workers could be exposed to more than one asthmagen depending on the types of tasks undertaken.
Farmers and animal workers are most likely to be exposed to asthmagens. While men in the study who worked with metal or wood and in food preparation, and women working as carers, cleaners, in food preparation or as nurses, had a high exposure probability.
Safe Work Australia Director of Research and Evaluation Dr Fleur de Crespigny advises that “it’s important to note that while most workers will not develop asthma as a result of work-related exposures, those exposed to asthmagens are at greater risk”.
Some ways to reduce exposure to asthmagens in the workplace can include:
- eliminating the potential asthmagen (in the case of chemicals, can they be removed from the workplace?)
- replacing the possible asthmagen (in the case of a chemical, can an alternative product be used?)
- engineering or incorporating dust extraction into the workplace to remove the asthmagen
- wearing dust masks or respiratory equipment, appropraite to the task, to protect workers from inhaling asthmagens
