There are many workplace diseases that we know about and try to avoid, including issues with the eyes due to poor lighting and issues with carpal tunnel syndrome from carrying out repetitive tasks with the hands. However, there are also many airborne related diseases that may go unnoticed or unchecked because we simply assume that the issue is a normal part of the job.
This is a problem, because where issues with air quality are not addressed, workers can suffer a range of breathing issues that may span everything from chesty coughs to mesothelioma (speak to an attorney who deals with Mesothelioma cases). Let’s look at some of the sources of exposure to airborne workplace diseases that workers could experience.
Food processing and preparation
People who work in food processing factories and food preparation areas such as restaurant kitchens are at increased risk of breathing in vegetable dust (including vegetable fibres). Issues are especially prevalent where flour is used. Many cases are also related to agriculture, specifically in areas of the trade that involve preparing and packing vegetables.
Metal workers
People who work in foundries (and other support workers involved in the variously connected metallurgical processes) are at increased risk of developing symptoms of airborne diseases. Those most at risk include people who work as part of the process of breaking moulds and cleaning casts.
Abrasive blasting
This typically includes any industrial scale work carried out to remove paint or rust from buildings and other small objects. Glass etching also counts among the reported cases of airborne workplace diseases for breathing in particles while carrying out work related tasks.
Further considerations…
When dealing with particles in the air, airborne diseases are the primary concern. However, there is also the secondary concern of fire and explosion. This is because any flammable dust that settles on surfaces in a sufficient quantity can become a fire hazard. Where the surface on which the dust has settled is flammable, we have a situation in which the smallest spark could lead to an entire building fire.
In most cases, the risk of fire through the accumulation of flammable dust can be mitigated during a workplace risk assessment, but it is worth bearing in mind.
What can be done?
In response to airborne diseases in the workplace (and the risk of flammable dust), containment and ventilation are usually the joint solution. In the case containment, a physical barrier is placed between the source of the airborne threat and workers. Ventilation will also help the airborne particles to disperse more rapidly, ensuring works are not accidentally exposed to the risk of breathing air that is unsafe and would otherwise result in disease.
