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ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
Asthma is a condition of inflammation and spasm of the airways, which can be triggered
by a range of factors. In particular, organic dusts such as grains and pollens, can trigger asthma in susceptible people. Farmers with a family history of asthma, can also be at greaterrisk. As farm families are often long distances from medical help, awareness and treatmentof asthma is especially important. Acute asthma is a life threatening condition, but asthmaattacks can be prevented.
SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA
Do you suffer from the following symptoms? coughing• tightness in the chest• wheezing• shortness of breath• difficulty breathing Do these symptoms often occur after exposure to grain or
other organic farm dusts?
Do symptoms sometimes limit your ability to workeffectively? (ie. coughing and shortness of breath withphysical exertion) EXPOSURE TO FARM DUSTS
Whilst farmers are not necessarily at greater risk of asthma than other people, farmers are
more likely to be exposed to organic dusts in the course of farm work, which can trigger
asthma episodes in susceptible persons. Farm dusts are often generated when produce or
stock are moved (eg. grain, hay, cattle), or when pollens are released from pasture. They are
a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles derived from pollens, grain husks,
leaves, soil, animal and insect parts.
Are you involved with production, storage, transportation orprocessing of dusty farm produce Are symptoms of asthma (as above) more apparent:
• during grain harvest or haymaking?
• when certain grasses or weeds are in flower such as rye
grass or turnip weed?
Do you find durum wheat and barley particularly irritating? IMPORTANT
ANYONE WITH ASTHMA WHO LIVES OR WORKS ON A FARM SHOULD SPEAK WITH THEIR
DOCTOR ABOUT A PERSONAL ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLAN
….ALSO, EMPLOYEES WITH ASTHMA NEED TO TELL THEIR EMPLOYER, SO THAT AN
ON-FARM MANAGEMENT PLAN CAN BE WORKED OUT
ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
ON-FARM ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
Management of asthma includes limiting exposure to organic dusts where possible. Consider
elimination and design interventions first, but a range of measures may be required.
Have you considered changing crops if a family memberis seriously affected by asthma due to that crop? Can you use pelleted feed rather than dusty grain, or adust suppressant such as molasses? Do you have adequate ventilation in sheds where grainand hay is stored? Do harvesters and tractors have cabins that isolateoperators from organic farm dusts? Are chutes, conveyor belts, grain elevators and intakepits covered to reduce dust? Are air conditioners, filters and seals maintained anddusty areas generally kept clean of dust? Can you reduce the time spent in a dusty area? Do operators and bystanders stand further away or upwind of grain being augered ordumped? Are air purifying masks or respirators provided and available to employees for dustyactivities? WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Asthma attacks can develop over a few minutes or a few days. Call 000 immediately if there is:
Increasing shortness of breath or rapid breathing, withinability to speak more than 1-2 words per breath Sucking in of throat and ribs or blue coloration of the lips 1. Sit the person upright and give reassurance 2. Give 4 separate puffs of a reliever (eg. ventolin), preferably with a spacer. Take 4 breaths from the spacer after each puff 3. Wait 4 minutes 4. If little improvement, repeat steps until the ambulance arrives For farm safety checklists and other information on farm safety risks and controls, go to
www.farmsafe.org.au or contact:
The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety
PO Box 256 Moree NSW 2400
Ph. (02) 6752 8218 Fax (02) 6752 6639 Email: [email protected]
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety 2008

Source: http://www.aghealth.org.au/tinymce_fm/uploaded/Health%20Workers/gp_factsheet_asthma_lores.pdf