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Posted By Des Daly
I found out this morning that one of our employees is suffering from pleural thickening as a result of working with asbestos - he currently has a claim going for this condition ( not against us but former employers).He is employed as a lagger and although we do strip asbestos he would not be used on this work - from time to time our laggers come into contact with ACM's ( usually roof sheeting).
Checking his employment application I find that he has ticked the NO box when asked if he was suffering from an industrial ill health ( perhaps he did not know of the condition at the time he completed the form - unlikely but possible).
My concern is that we could be drawn in to his current and any future claim for asbestos related ill health.
Does plueral thickening end up as asbestosis?
Could he worsen his condition by exposure to MMMF for example? Appreciate any advice/guidance from my learned peers.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Des
I'm not too sure of the progress of the disease in this circumstance. On a practical note however I think you need to consider seriously a formal risk assessment for this operative, the fact is you now know there to be a particular weakness which could be exacerbated by the work he is doing. You will need to look at the control of the tasks he performs, the areas where he may be prohibited from entering and the PPE he may need to use for what could be deemed otherwise as work of relatively low risk.
Bob
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Posted By Jane Blunt
While you may well have to take extra control measures with this employee in the future, I would consult an Occupational Health physician for guidance on the kind of problems he may encounter and what, if anything, might exacerbate his condition. EMAS may be able to advise you.
Putting in additional control measures without taking this kind of advice might lead to making life unnecessarily difficult, or you may miss something important that you had not thought of.
Jane
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Posted By Bill Elliott
My understanding is that pleural thickening is a lay term for pneumoconiosis, which is progressive and asbestos related. As such ANY exposure to ANY dust is going to have an adverse impact on the individual. I agree with Robert, the risk assessment needs to be very specific in this instance and you may benefit from specific advice from an Occpuational Hygiene specialist as towhat tasks he is able to perform.
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Posted By Phil Grace
Des,
A few comments:
Pleural Thickening is not a form of pneumoconiosis. Pneumo is a change in the structure of the lungs whereby their elasticity is reduced making breathing difficult and less effecient. In contrast pleural thickening is a change in the pleura, the sack that encloses the lungs.
Pleural thickening and the similar condition pleural plaques are a precursor of other asbestos related diesease. It is not strictly correct to say that they "develop into" other conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. However, since these conditions - pleural plaques and pleural thickening - result from exposure to asbestosis then it is perhaps likely that someone who is exhibiting them will develop other diseases in due course.
Hope this helps
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Posted By Des Daly
Thanks to all who responded to my call for help. Very useful info. and guidance to be getting on with.
Des Daly
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