Masks and equipment

[Crazy_plant_lady]

Following the fab advice I've got off you guys, I wanted to ask about masks. Does anyone use any masks or wearable air purifiers etc that help? I work in an environment full of lots of different people and regularly get exposed to perfumes etc that is causing a constant battle. There's also still damp which is being slowly dealt with but I've ended up on prednisolone because of that. I'm at my wits end and just want to be able to work without making myself ill. Thanks

[Butterfly2honey]

I use a fabric face mask that lets you put filters in it. The filters I use are PM2.5.

[Kniterbug]

hi. I wear a knitted collar for when it’s really cold out walking this is great for breathing as the wool is open and let you breath without being too cold. It works great for my lungs. I knit one in Aran wool or yarn if that helps

[Poobah]

UK employment, equality and Health & Safety legislation.

If your working environment is affecting your asthma, then you should request an occupational health review by a qualified practitioner. HR are the usual route that your manager will use to access this service. The practitioner will assess your health within your working environment and make recommendations to your employer that are designed to lessen the impact on your health. These are called reasonable adjustments.

If your employer doesn't have the facilities to provide you with a OH review, you can access a free review via a government service, Access to Work. gov.uk/access-to-work

You're legally entitled to an occupational health review by a qualified practitioner (I stress qualified). And the employer is legally required to implement the recommended adjustments as far as they are reasonable. If you're in a union, have a chat with your union rep if you want support with this.

Employers are legally obliged to ensure the working environment is safe. COSHH (control of substances hazardous to health legislation) classifies all fungi and moulds as asthmagens. The COSHH legislation requires employers to reduce the risk of employees being exposed to mould. Your employer should be following COSHH legislation in addressing the workplace mould and have the relevant PPE for anyone who has to work in areas affected by mould. But additional protection should be considered for those with respiratory diseases, as a minimum. In my personal opinion, you should not be working in that environment and if I was your union rep, then I would expect the employer to make immediate changes to your duties while waiting for the Occupational Health review.

The OH practitioner may report any failures to follow COSHH legislation with the Health and Safety Executive.

NB it's not your responsibility to provide PPE and you're not qualified to assess what is required in the conditions. Neither are we.

[runcyclexcski]

3M P2 or P3-rated masks with a carbon layer, and a light bandana on top. Perfumes can still get through to a degree, if it's really smelly. You need the carbon for the odours; the thicker the carbon, the better. The next step is a 3M 6000-series respirator. No odor gets through that. Regular PM2.5 fabrics only filter the particles, not the odours.

Expect people to think of you as a covid freak, to make pretend coughs near you, and generally to harass you every now and then. I am a big guy, and I still get harassed. But not having asthma triggers is more important.

In the UK the relevant mask is the 3M 9922, sold in packs of 10 by RS online and various other places. One mask lasts up to a week, then one can feel the odours again (weed, fragrances etc). You can make your employer pay for them, as Poobah said. They are about 60 quid for a pack of 10.

[Mandevilla]

Short term solution might be to plug in an air purifier/dehumidifier next to your desk if you are office based? I find that hovering right over the outflow can help my breathing even if the atmosphere around is still damp/polluted with a trigger.