Hi All. One of our people has just informed us that she has COPD and that "working in a warehouse" will aggravate the condition- she says that she was told this by a consultant at the hospital. We don't have any processes that generate dust- not sure if she has said that its a dusty environment- and the NHS have offered to come and test the environment (!) I've informed the HR Director and we will be working occ health and the lady concerned to get the best for her. I just wondered if anyone had come across a similar situation? Thanks Andy

Given another thread on here- it depends who you talk to!! Andy

Thanks Bob. She is a smoker and is in the process of trying to stop. As for the work activity- not strenuous in any way, shape or form. We don't have any processes that create dust- the part of the warehouse she works in is surprisingly clean. We will leave cause to the experts, and take advice from occ health regarding any other issues. I have spoken to her about previous work and there doesn't seem to be anything that stands out- however- she has suffered from lung problems since childhood, and has asthma. Andy

I have a meeting with the HR Director this week- the report from the hospital will be requested, as will written recommendations if they aren't in the report. I'm cynical at the best of times... Andy

The HSE has a comprehensive amount of information on COPD: http://www.hse.gov.uk/copd/index.htm You have a wander around it, clicking on CAUSES and then reading onwards.... From my own knowledge many cases are caused by work conditions (remember the miners winning massive compensation ?), and many others made worse by work conditions. Smoking is the main cause, but do not think that smoking is the only cause, or that you can blame smoking for poor work conditions. Wander through the pages: Around 15% of COPD may be caused or made worse by work 4000 COPD deaths every year may be related to work exposures 40% of COPD patients are below retirement age A quarter of those below retirement age are unable to work at all (a lot of mays) Go on, have a read..shake the "everyone is trying to sue us" dust out of your heads.. For those afflicted, I can recommend Pulmonary Rehabilitation as a means of making the most of what remains. The staff on the (NHS) courses are specialists on pulmonary conditions. Surprisingly they also get the medication right, where GPs' do not. Persons attending do not have to attend the part of the course titled: End Of Life Planning. But given that the COPD end of life is traumatic it may be best ? Oh, and I have COPD and am fast approaching end-stage. And I am not a smoker, but I have been a welder for 40 years.

Thanks all. A dust survey will be recommended when I speak to the HR Director. If, as she has stated, the NHS will do this for free its a bonus. The lady in question has approached the Ops Manager requesting a job in an office... Andy

Clairel Me too! That is why I suggested that the employer obtains measurements on dust levels. Before we blame the consultant for his 'diagnosis' I wonder just what the patient told him about the working conditions! I have had diagnoses from dermatologists that were clinically accurate but occupationally completely irrelevant, simply because due to what the dermatologist was told by the patient he/she had not tested with the right substances. So briefing the consultant is for me an essential element when conducting a workplace investigation.