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15 August 2005 - HSE's Take Your Breath
Away Event
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in partnership with ReMIT
Centre for Technical Excellence, are holding a free half-day Awareness Event on
Thursday 25 August, at the ReMIT Centre, 45 Imperial Way, Croydon, in a bid to
raise awareness of asthma-related illnesses amongst motor vehicle repair (MVR) bodyshop paint-sprayers
who use 2-pack isocyanate based paints.
Isocyanates are the biggest single cause of occupational asthma.
The following list shows MVR bodyshop paint-sprayers as being most at risk, with
facts such as:
The Awareness Event in London is one of a series of locally based events,
followed by inspection campaigns, which the HSE are planning. It is
hoped these events will highlight the dangers involved when using 2-pack
isocyanates and how the risk of asthma-related illness can be controlled.
Dr. Mark Piney, a Specialist Inspector in the HSE, Explains the risks
involved when using isocyanates as follows:
"Sprayers are more likely to get asthma because of chemicals in the
paints they use called isocyanates. When the paint is sprayed, very high
concentrations of isocyanates are released into the air.
"Sprayers can develop asthma rapidly if they're not properly protected,
and once the asthma starts that's the end of their life as a sprayer. We need
people to come to this free event so they can learn how to control the risk
and reduce their chances of getting this serious disease.
"Many people who get occupational asthma end up as respiratory cripples.
I've met people so badly affected that they can't even walk upstairs without
using an inhaler. We want the paint spraying industry to work with us to
minimise the suffering that asthma can cause."
Calling on paint-sprayers to attend the free event, Mr.Charles Horsefield,
Head of Operations, London said:
''Traditionally, HSE has relied on workplace inspection to help
businesses comply with the law, so that their health and that of their
employees is protected.
''But we are now inviting as many people as we can to this event, where
HSE and industry experts will hold interactive sessions explaining what the
risks are, and what they can do to minimise them.
''HSE is all about taking sensible and reasonable steps to minimise the
chances of people becoming ill or hurt at work. We don't like to see people
suffer, and we urge as many paint sprayers as possible to contact us to
reserve a space at this free event."
The Awareness Event will comprise of two sessions. The first will
be from 9am to 12.30pm and the second from 1.30 to 5pm. You can book
the free event by calling Michael Tomlin on 020 7556 2115.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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