HSP Group Occupational Health offers on-site Spirometry testing or, as it is more often called, lung-function testing service. As with all HSP’s other Medical Surveillance services, our Spirometry tests are very convenient, simple to engage and cause minimal disruption; with each lung-function test only taking 10 – 15 minutes per person.

We only need the use of a convenient room near to the workforce or we can bring one of our branded caravans, and then our Occupational Health Nurse or Technician will simply work through the Spirometry tests for the ‘exposed’ staff in whatever order or timetable that suits production. As we conduct each lung-function test we will explain the results to the employee then, the Project Manager will give a brief to our contact person within 2 weeks of the visit and present a summarised Management report for your records. We retain all health surveillance records confidentially. Having previous records also allows us to make comparisons on subsequent visits to detect any early signs of any abnormal deterioration in lung capacity and therefore tackle any issues before they become a more serious problem.

The Spirometry testing is compliant with the statutory Medical Surveillance requirements and in accordance with best practice in high risk employees and for substances identified as respiratory sensitizers.

Employees who are found to need action taken on abnormalities noted can be referred to one of our Occupational Health Clinics for follow-up chest x-rays and diagnosis where our Occupational Health Medial Practitioner (OHMP) will investigate whether they have an idiopathic medical problem or if it is a potential Occupational Disease that will require referral to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries (COID Act) and Diseases Fund, or the Compensation Commissioner for possible compensation.

Substances that can cause Occupational Lung Disease

Substances that can cause Occupational Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Occupational Asthma, normally trigger a Medical Surveillance requirement or, in particular, Spirometry / lung-function tests. Examples of such respiratory sensitizers are:

Occupational Asthma

  • Isocyanates
  • Welding Fumes
  • Dust and other Airborne Particulates (including Wood Dust of which some are carcinogenic)
  • Paints / Adhesives/ Resins
  • Glutaraledehyde
  • Latex
  • Soldering Flux

Lung Disease / COPD

  • Asbestos
  • Silica Dust / Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
  • Ceramic Fibre
  • Cement

Note: This is not a complete list but a Health Risk Analysis will highlight the need for Spirometry on a specific exposure basis.

HSP’s convenient on-site or Occupational Health Clinic based Spirometry (lung-function) testing service is easy to engage and causes minimum disruption to production.

Call HSP today to see how we can help.

Written by HSP Group SA 22/03/2016