Asthma management checklist

Asthma due to workplace exposure is now the most frequently reported disease. As a sufferer may never work again, you should assess the potential risks. Our checklist can help you do this.

Managing asthma

One health hotspot that has received much media attention recently is occupational asthma. This refers to asthma which is contracted as a result of an allergic reaction to one or more hazardous substances in the workplace. According to the HSE, there are between 1,500 and 3,000 new cases each year making it the most frequently reported respiratory disease. As its effects can be so serious that a sufferer may never work again, you should assess the potential risks in your workplace. One way of doing this is via an Asthma Management Checklist.

Using the checklist

The checklist starts by identifying the symptom history. To pinpoint the cause of the asthma it asks when the symptoms started, where the employee works and what tasks they carry out. Section two then moves onto a substance review. Amongst other things, this involves reviewing any relevant COSHH assessments and identifying if there are any respiratory sensitisers used in your workplace. The third and fourth sections look at safe systems of work and medical issues respectively.