Occuptional Asthma

[texol]

I have been working in a chemical factory for almost nine years, i also suffer with asthma, i wasnt diagnosed with asthma until i was 32 (two years into working at the factory). I can recall the incident that triggered the asthma (breathing in fumes from a chemical mix) but until now have done nothing about it. I do feel better after having holidays which has prompted me to think it is occupational asthma. There was also an incident last June which again resulted in me being in casualty again with breathing difficultys. The safety precations at the factory are neglegable (even though it is inspected yearly and scrapes through). Two other employees also suffer with breathing problems (small company with 8 staff). There is something about the air in the factory that unerves me a bit as well, things like spanners or metallic objects rapidly rust. There is one extractor fan which is rarely on and when it is it might as well be powered by a mouse on a wheel. Anyway to my main point, enough is enough and i want to seek a claim of occupational asthma, i dont want to give the job up as finding another would be near impossible and if it were made safer it would be a better place to work. I saw my GP today with the hopes of getting refered to a specialist who could diagnose occupational asthma but he would not refer me as he said he was not legally obliged and the best thing i could do would be to see my works doctor or find another job, this would involve haveing to tell my boss as this early stage which i dont want to do as i think he would try and make things more difficult for me. I cant afford a private gp and i have no idea how to contact my works doctor (if there even is one). Does anyone know if contacting a solicitor would be a good idea or know of a better way to get help?

[bednobs]

if you only want to get the working conditions made better, i would suggest a solicitor is a sledgehammer to crack a nut. if you think the boss will make things difficult for you if you try and see an occupational health doctor, i can't imagine how he might react if you bring a solicitor in!
You need to approach the boss first

[Hopkirk]

I hardly think you could keep the job if claiming compensation.

Is joining a union worth thinking about?

[bednobs]

Have just spoken to my husband who is a health and saftey officer. he offers this advice:
You need to make the boss aware that there is a problem with you (and the others if they want to) They are legally obliged to have a health and saftey policy (as they employ over 5 people) and they are legally obliged to have a risk assessment (what is the chemical?) Looking at these will be you and his/her starting point. the next step will probably be for your boss to have air quality monitoring done to find out what risks there are to the workforce and the exposure limits to the chemicals. If there is a problem he will be legally obliged to lower the risk as low as reasonably practiacal immediately. If risks are identified he should be offering you occupational health monitoring.
If the boss just laughs in your face, get onto the local branch of the Health and safety executive and alert them - they will be very interested.

[mike11111]

I have heard of asthma (was a suffer myself in my childhood) but never occupational asthma.

[bednobs]

yes mike it's asthma that's cause by your job