Current work

Over this year and next HSE will be involved in work on COPD in the following occupations:

Welding

Studies have shown there is a link between welding and respiratory ill health. 

HSE are working in partnership with others to raise awareness of COPD and causes of the disease as well as improving good practice in the welding industry.

Welding COSHH essentials sheets and the welding website provide further information on welding and good practice measures.

The Top tips page of this site gives examples of good practice.

Stonemasonry

Stonemasons are at risk of getting lung diseases including COPD.  If the stone has a high silica content they can also develop silicosis. 

HSE will work in partnership with others including trade unions and industry bodies to raise awareness of silicosis, COPD and their causes.

Activities over the coming year include meeting with key industry groups to provide good practice advice. 

The Top tips page on this site gives examples of good practice.

COSHH essential sheets and Stonemasonry website can provide more information.

Workplace Exposure Limit

The consultation on the proposed new silica Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) has finished.  From 1st October 2006 the WEL will be set at 0.1mg/m3.

Agriculture

Studies have shown there is a clear link between agricultural tasks such as poultry catching and respiratory ill health. 

HSE plan to work in partnership to raise awareness of COPD and the causes of the disease as well as improving good practice in the agriculture industry.

The agriculture website provides further information on the agriculture sector and good practice measures.

The Top tips page of this site gives examples of good practice.

Lung disease

The story of textile worker; Pat Goodacre can be viewed here.