BOHS, the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, has officially launched a major new phase of its Breathe Freely initiative to prevent occupational lung disease in the manufacturing sector, urging the industry to get on board with robust controls to protect the respiratory health of their welders.
The new campaign – to be run in partnership with EEF the manufacturers’ organisation, HSE, TWI, TUC, JCB, Toyota and BAE Systems – will operate concurrently with the Society’s original Breathe Freely initiative for the construction industry.
The launch event, held yesterday at the EEF London headquarters, was attended by some 70 partners and supporters of the campaign with the aim of raising awareness of the respiratory health hazards, which cause around 90% of the estimated 13,000 deaths in Britain each year from work-related diseases across all sectors.
Looking at the manufacturing sector specifically, it is estimated that annually, around 4,000 workers suffer from breathing and lung problems they believed were caused or made worse by their work.
Furthermore, the sector’s welders have been identified as a group at particular risk of serious lung conditions from inhaling hazardous fumes, gases and dusts. The Society has, therefore, confirmed that the new phase of the Breathe Freely initiative will focus primarily on improving respiratory health protection for welders:
Launching the campaign, Karen Bufton, President of BOHS, said, “The good news is there’s a solution – all of these cases of ill health caused by welding are, in fact, preventable. Welders can be protected from the hazardous fumes and gases by recognising the hazards, evaluating the risks and controlling exposures. This is, quite simply, good occupational hygiene practice.
She continued, “Unfortunately, we know that workers are still being exposed to high levels of welding fumes and gases because in some workplaces, either there are no controls in place, inappropriate controls are being used, or the controls provided are not being used properly. Our new initiative aims to ensure we’re getting this right. We are urging employers to make use of our Breathe Freely resources to check that the right controls are in place and are being used properly, with a solid plan in place to ensure continuous improvements in practice.”
“Tackling ill health is a key responsibility of business,” said Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of EEF, “but we will only achieve success if everyone recognises that it is an integral part of success. We know that keeping people fit and in work as well as accommodating an increasingly aging workforce can hold the key to productivity gains in our sector with the health of employees a major factor in an organisation’s competitiveness. Good health is good business.
“Whilst we have achieved significant progress, there is still much more that can be done to manage occupational health risks; and initiatives such as this can only ensure such an important business task receives more attention.”
Speaking at the launch, HSE Chair Martin Temple told delegates: “It is great to see the range of organisations here acting together to improve health and safety; in particular, BOHS for setting up the Breathe Freely initiative and EEF for its support in instigating this second phase covering welding.
“This is a significant workplace activity where we can and must make a real difference to workers’ health. Businesses no longer allow staff to be in clouds of cigarette smoke so welding fumes should be considered with as much concern. Unfortunately, workers in some businesses are still being exposed to high concentrations of fumes and gases. Make sure you’re getting this right.”
The Breathe Freely resources for manufacturing can be accessed through BOHS’s web-based centre of excellence on exposure control at www.breathefreely.org.uk featuring the following:
External links, including the BOHS Directory of Occupational Hygiene Services at www.bohs.org/consultant – the definitive list of UK companies able to provide qualified and experienced occupational hygienists, and specialist occupational hygiene support services
Great initiative!! We need to balance the current “diesel criminals” witch hunt and focus also on other air pollution sources, which are at least as dangerous polluters. Indoor air at workplaces has to get more attention as well; we spend 90% of our time indoors! These kinds of campaigns are exactly what we need so warmly supported!