OH at work Problems and Priorities

1. OH at workProblems and Priorities Anne Bartlett Specialist Inspector (Occupational Health)

2. Why health matters • 1.3 million people who worked in 2009/10 were suffering from a work-related illness. 555,000 were new cases • 28.5 million days lost (1.2 days/worker) • 5.1 million days lost 09/10 due to work-related injury. • 23.4 million days lost 09/10 due to work related ill health.

3. Priority: Occupational Asthma • Attacks of breathless, wheezing and coughing due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways. • Runny nose and eye irritation • Caused by contact with substances known as sensitisers • 2-6% of all adult asthma is work-related. Known to be 1000-1500 cases p a.

4. Priority: Occupational Asthma Known sensitisers include:- • Isocyanates • Wood dust • Flour/tea/spices/Latex Risk Phrases: R42 ‘may cause sensitisation by inhalation’ R43 ‘may cause sensitisation by skin contact’

5. Priority: COPD COPD is a long-term illness that makes breathing increasingly difficult. • Estimated that 15% of cases are caused or made worse by work. • Estimated that 4000 COPD deaths p.a. are related to work exposures. .

7. Priority: Asbestos • The most serious work-related health problem in UK • Over 4,000 deaths last year from asbestos related diseases, though many not diagnosed. • Numbers of deaths each year still rising - expected to peak to around 5,000 between 2010-15

8. Mesothelioma deaths 1981 - 2005

9. Mesothelioma deaths 1981 - 2005

10. Priority: HAVS Long term exposure to vibration causes permanent and often progressive nerve and circulation damage. Not just historical problem. Also linked with Carpal Tunnel syndrome, which appears to develop quickly.

11. HAVS

12. MSDs • An estimated 11.6 million working days a year are lost to work-related MSDs. • Occur across most industries and occupations. • Increasing incidence of ULDs e.g. pharmaceuticals.

13. Problems (1) • Under-reporting/quick staff turnover means not seen as a problem. • Long latency periods, so no immediate impact of changes e.g. asbestos. • The link between symptoms and work may not be apparent e.g. occupational asthma.

14. Problems (2) Requires 100% commitment and attention to detail which has to be sustained long-term. • Consider ALL possible routes of exposure, including secondary contamination e.g. lead. • Devise and test effective & specific control measures. (Plan-Do-Check-Act) • May be no ‘safe levels’ so exposure to be reduced ALARP e.g. OA, vibration.

15. Problems (3) Requires focus on behaviour, not just technical solutions. • Do staff actually use the control measures? • Do staff understand the risks and the need for control measures? • Do staff know to report problems at an early stage?

16. Problems (4) May require support from an effective OH provider, to assist you in managing health risks in the workplace. • Health need analysis. • Priorities – health surveillance first. • Feedback.

17. Conclusion • Damage may be slow and insidious so severe once noted. • Once damage occurs usually permanent and irreversible. • Life changing, may be life threatening. • Costs are huge Must be managed in spite of the problems!

18. Changing HSE • Target proactive work, more tightly focused on high-risk industries. • Move towards a more reactively-oriented work pattern. • Implement and apply a cost recovery regime • Close Infoline. More focus on website www.hse.gov.uk

19. Any questions ?