FEATURE
WORLD ASTHMA DAY 2018 THIS ISSUE, WE SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON WORLD ASTHMA DAY HAPPENING ON 7 MAY THIS YEAR.
According to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) 2018 annual statistics (http://www.hse. gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asthma pdf), isocyanates and flour/ grain are the most commonly citedcauses of occupational asthma by chest physicians
Through our approved training providers, BOHS offers several courses to bolster your understanding of LEV from foundation levels to professional qualifications including:
The highest new cases of workrelated asthma have been in the following occupations; vehicle spray painters, bakers, and flour confectioners.
• P601 - Thorough Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems
One method to prevent workers from contracting asthma and other occupational lung diseases is to install a well-designed and adequately maintained Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system that can eliminate contaminants from the air to protect the health of workers, potentially saving dozens of lives.
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• P600 - Methods for Testing the Performance of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems
• P602 - Basic Design Principles of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems • P603 - Control of Hazardous Substances - Personal Protective Equipment • P604 - Performance Evaluation, Commissioning and Management of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems • IP601 - Thorough Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems • Certificate of Competence in Control
Learn more about how LEV systems can reduce health risks in the workplace through our qualifications, by heading to http://www.bohs. org/qualifications-training/bohs-qualifications/levqualifications/. For more resources, go to HSE’s LEV information hub at http://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/. If you are interested in preventing occupational lung diseases, why not get involved with our Breathe Freely in Manufacturing campaign? In the manufacturing industry, many welders are exposed unnecessarily to welding fume and gases that can damage their health. As a result, workers could contract diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Our dedicated campaign website contains helpful guidance on LEV with full-colour downloadable PDFs to support companies on how best to control airborne contaminants. Head to http://www.breathefreely.org.uk/ breathefreelymanufacturing.html.
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