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You can find more information on the For employers page of this website.

Why has HSE issued an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) on occupational asthma?

Because occupational asthma is an important issue.

The ACoP forms an appendix to the main COSHH ACoP and should help to raise the profile on asthma. It gives inspectors an extra tool to help them enforce the COSHH Regulations and secure adequate standards of control.

Does the ACoP impose new duties on employers?

No. It emphasises the important duties under the COSHH Regulations. It aims to give authoritative advice on the control of substances that cause occupational asthma. Employers who already comply with COSHH will find the ACoP easy to follow.

How will a 30% reduction in cases of occupational asthma be achieved?

Through partnerships and communication. The What HSE is doing page provides more details.

How is HSE going to target its asthma guidance?

HSE has placed some COSHH Essentials-style control guidance sheets for leading causes of asthma on the Internet. Further such guidance is planned. This is free guidance and HSE will promote it through relevant trade associations and unions.

See the Further reading pages for more information and guidance.

What is the role of the partnership board?

The Asthma Partnership Board aims to champion the cause of asthma caused by and made worse by work. It will consider new ideas with a view to developing plans of actions. The Board will oversee progress on reducing occupational asthma. For more information on the Board and its activities please email the secretary for the board: tony.gissane@hse.gsi.gov.uk

What type of partnership activity is HSE looking for?

An example is that on natural rubber latex. HSE has worked in collaboration with the Latex Allergy Support Group, Trades Union Congress, Department of Health and National Patient Safety Agency to develop and promote a pack of information ('a latex toolkit') which partner organisations can use to spread good practice, particularly in relation to glove selection and use.

This will reduce asthma from exposure to high protein, powdered latex gloves.