HOW CAN WORK-RELATED ASTHMA? WORK …files.hria.org › files › OH4425.pdf1. Does my asthma get...
Transcript of HOW CAN WORK-RELATED ASTHMA? WORK …files.hria.org › files › OH4425.pdf1. Does my asthma get...
IS MY ASTHMAWORK-RELATED?
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?
ASK YOURSELF THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS:
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE WORK-RELATED ASTHMA PROJECT AT:
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
1. Doesmyasthmagetbetterondaysawayfromworkoronvacations?
2. Arethereanymaterials,activities,orspecificlocationsatworkthatmakemyasthmaworse?
3. Doesmyasthmagetworseoverthecourseoftheworkweek?
OCCUPATIONALHEALTHSURVEILLANCEPROGRAM
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250WashingtonStreet,6thFloorBoston,MA02108(617)624-5681www.mass.gov/dph/[email protected]
OTHERRESOURCESINCLUDE:
The American Lung Association
1-800-LUNGUSA(586-4872),Option #2Lungne.org
The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics
http://www.aoec.org/
Ifyoufeelthatyourworkplaceisunsafe
andneedsahealthandsafety
evaluation,youcancontactOSHAat(617)565-9860ortheMassachusetts Department of Labor Standards at (617) 969-7177.
If yourasthmaiscausedorworsenedbywork,youhavetherighttofileforworkers’compensation.Benefitsinclude:
• Paymentofallmedicalbillsrelatedtoyourasthma
• Coverageofprescriptiondrugsforyourasthma
• Upto60%ofthepaythatyoulostifyouwereoutsickfor5ormoredays
• Compensationifyoubecomedisabled
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION:
• Tellyouremployeraboutyourhealthconditionrightaway.Askhim/hertofileaFirstReport ofInjury.
• Ifyouaredeniedcompensationyouhavetherighttoappeal.
• Keeparecordofyourasthmaattacks.Tellyourdoctorwhenyourasthmagetsbetterorworse.
• Tellyourdoctoraboutyourwork.
• Learnmoreaboutthesubstancesusedatyourworkplace.
• CreateanAsthmaActionPlanwithyourdoctor.
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you may have Work-Related Asthma.
1-800-499-LUNG|lungne.org
For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents at 1-800-323-3249.
WHAT CAUSES WORK-RELATED ASTHMA?
WHO GETS WORK-RELATED ASTHMA?
HOW CAN WORK-RELATED ASTHMA
BE PREVENTED?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?
WHAT IS WORK-RELATED ASTHMA?
Youremployershouldprotectyoubytakingthefollowingstepstomakeyourworkplacehealthier.
• Removesubstancesthatcauseasthma,andreplacethemwithsafermaterials.Eliminatehazardsliketobaccosmokeormold.
• Ventilateusingventilationsystemstoremovehazardoussubstances.Maintainthesesystemstoensuregoodairquality.
• Providerespiratorsormaskstoreduceexposurestohazardoussubstances.Respiratorsrequiremedicalapproval,hazardassessments&training.
• Provideskinprotection,suchasgloves,aprons&faceshieldstoprotectagainstsubstancesthatcanbeabsorbedthroughtheskin&cancauseasthma.
• Trainemployeesabouthazardsandprevention.
Therearemanysubstancesintheworkplacethatcancauseasthmaormakeasthmaworse.
• Isocyanates(inproductslikepolyurethanefoam&autopaints)
• Certaincleaners&disinfectants• Latexrubber• Grain&flourdust• Wooddusts• Animaldander• Cockroaches• Somemolds• Somemetalssuchasnickel&chromium• Cigarettesmoke
• Wheezing• Coughing• ChestTightness• ShortnessofBreath• DifficultyBreathing
Workersinmanyjobscanbeexposedtosubstancesthatcancauseorworsenasthma.Someexamplesare:
• Nurses&otherhealthcareworkers• Teachers/Schoolstaff• Beautysalonworkers• Janitors&housekeepingstaff• Animalhandlers• Constructionworkers• Laboratorytechnicians• Paper,textile,plasticorother
manufacturingworkers• Bakers• Officeworkers
Work-relatedasthmaisasthmacausedormadeworsebywork.Asthmasymptomsmaystartrightafteryoubreatheinaparticularsubstanceorsymptomsmay bedelayed,beginningafterworkorevenatnight.
Symptomsusuallygetworse atworkbutgetbetterduringvacationsorlongweekends.If yourasthmabecomesmoresevere,symptomsmaynotgetbetterevenaftertimeawayfromwork.
Work-relatedasthmamaybereversible,butpermanentdamage,orevendeathcanoccurifexposurecontinues.
Federalsafetylawsrequireyouremployertoprovideasafe&healthyworkplace.
1-800-499-LUNG|lungne.org
Someexamplesare: