Posted By martin.carr1@ntlworld.com Whats your thoughts on this scenario/case study? A person develops occupational asthma and the employer discovers an 'insignificant' level of wood dust in the working environment but due to the 'insignificant' level of dust discovered the employer deemed it unnecessary to record the date, assessor details or findings but the employer suggests (in writing) that the employee 'wears a dust mask' look forward to your thoughts.

Posted By martin.carr1@ntlworld.com Hard wood dust. Employee was in perfect health (no asthma). shouldn't the employer record the findings?

Posted By ScotsAM I'd always try to err on the side of caution and record 'significant' risks and 'insignificant' risks. If you've thought of it, it's forseeable even if you reckon risks involved are negligible.

Posted By Crim Only the Main Findings need be recorded in writing, if anything is "required" then that would be a Main Finding.

Posted By stephen d clarke Hi, Occupational asthma caused by wood dust is RIDDOR reportable unless there is good evidence of a pre-existing condition, it is caused solely by exposure to agents outside work or it was neither exacerbated nor triggered by exposure at work. From what you have said it could have been tiggered by exposure at work therefore if a medical diagnosis is asthma and the above applies it should be reported IMO. Steve

Posted By Robert K Lewis Martin I have to presume in all of your information that the Med Prac. has investigated thoroughly that the attacks are occupationally based. Occupational Asthma tends to clear up overnight, and weekends or longer breaks ceases completely. If this is not the case there is the potential that this is not directly work related but merely exacerbated by the exposure at work. Existing Asthmatics can have strong reactions to very low levels of some irritants and this may be what is occurring. The choice has to be then one of complete removal from the dust and re-allocating to other work areas where there is no exposure. You cannot afford however to continue the exposure of this person to wood dust, at whatever level, as there is a potential of death from an asthma attack and the risks are not negligible. You must establish rapidly the link to wood dust and if it exisits act immediately. Bob

Posted By SteveD-M Did I read right, is it hardwood dust? Forgive me if I have missed this but isn't hardwood dust a carcinogen?

Posted By clairel Martin, you have mentioned that there is 'insignificant' exposure to wood dust. The only way you could prove that would be through air monitoring. Was that done? If so that may be proof enough. Was annual health surveillance done? This is also required when exposed to wooddust particuarly hardwoods and redwoods. The health surveillance can pick up whether controls are sufficiently working. Plus is there any other substance that could have caused it? Many of the chemicals used in joiners are also hazardous and some may also cause/bring on asthma. Just thoughts