Prevent work-related lung disease
High-risk work
Some work can cause life-threatening lung diseases. Find out how to protect your workers when they do these tasks:
Control exposure
Use the COSHH e-tool to get advice on controlling exposure to hazardous substances for common tasks including mixing and drying.
Employers' legal duties
Employers are obliged by law to protect their workers by using:
- alternative processes
- less hazardous materials
- enclosures/effective ventilation
- protective equipment - as a last resort
The important thing is to keep workplace air clean.
Lung diseases
Breathing in dusts, gases, fumes and vapours in the workplace can cause serious, long-term lung damage and often incurable health problems. Diseases such as:
Dust and fume removal
Employer guidance to help you choose and maintain the right local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for your business.
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Essential guidance on choosing and using the right equipment.
Impact on lives
Former stoneworker Terry suffers from silicosis.
Video interview with Terry and his wife Christine
Phil, a former welder, has occupational asthma.
Healthy Lung Partnership
The Healthy Lung Partnership (HLP) shares, promotes and encourages good control practice to reduce work-related lung disease.
LOcHER (learning occupational health by experiencing risks)
LOcHER is an interactive learning approach to engage vocational students. It helps them learn about managing health risks and protecting their health in the workplace. This includes occupational lung disease and how to control exposure.
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