Bringing a Claim for a Chest Condition (e.g. COPD, Industrial Asthma)

Injury to the lungs can be caused through the inhalation of gases, fumes, vapour, dust, and micro-organisms. Many types of fumes and dust irritate the lungs causing conditions such as emphysema, pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, silicosis, chronic bronchitis, industrial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/chronic obstructive airways disease (known as COPD / COAD). Those who already have lung problems such as asthma or bronchitis are particularly vulnerable. Moreover, some conditions result from an abnormally sensitive reaction of the body and once individuals have become sensitised, even extremely small quantities of the substance concerned can be harmful.

To prevent the risk of injury, employers are under a duty to carry out an assessment of hazardous substances by identifying hazards and assessing their risk to health, consider measures to prevent exposure, where prevention is not possible look at what needs to be done to control exposure, keep their employees fully informed about the risks and keep procedures under review, install extractor fans where necessary, and provide safety equipment.

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