Some workplace hazards can affect an employee’s breathing long before noticeable symptoms develop. Employees who work around dust, fumes, chemicals and other airborne contaminants may be at risk of developing occupational lung diseases. These conditions can affect lung health gradually, sometimes before a worker notices coughing, shortness of breath or other symptoms.
Occupational health spirometry testing provides employers with a practical way to monitor employee lung health. A spirometry test measures lung function by recording how much air a person can exhale and how quickly they can expel it. This simple pulmonary function test can establish a baseline, identify changes in lung capacity and support the early detection of potential breathing problems.
When included in a broader workplace health program, spirometry testing can provide valuable information about occupational exposures and employee health. It may be particularly important for workers exposed to silica, asbestos, wood dust, welding fumes, chemicals and other respiratory hazards.
Learn more about Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing’s workplace spirometry testing and assessments.
So, which employees should receive workplace spirometry testing?
Workers Exposed to Silica Dust
Workers who cut, drill, crush, grind or disturb materials containing crystalline silica may inhale extremely small particles that can travel deep into the lungs. Common sources include:
- Concrete
- Stone and engineered stone
- Brick
- Mortar
- Sand
- Asphalt
- Ceramics
Construction workers, concrete finishers, demolition crews, miners and workers in stone fabrication facilities may all encounter respirable silica dust, which can be harmful to lung function.
Long-term exposure can contribute to silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other serious respiratory conditions. Spirometry testing can be one part of an occupational health program for workers exposed to silica.
Construction and Demolition Workers
Construction and demolition activities can release several types of airborne contaminants. Depending on the project, employees may encounter silica, asbestos, wood dust, insulation fibres, welding fumes, diesel exhaust and chemical vapours.
Workers performing the following tasks may benefit from respiratory health monitoring:
- Cutting or grinding concrete
- Sanding drywall or wood
- Demolishing older structures
- Operating heavy equipment
- Working in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas
- Removing insulation or hazardous building materials
Not every construction worker faces the same level of risk. Employers should use their hazard assessment and occupational health requirements to determine who needs testing and how often it should be completed.
Oil and Gas Workers
Oil and gas employees may be exposed to gases, vapours, dust and chemical products during drilling, production, maintenance and processing activities.
Potential respiratory hazards can include hydrogen sulphide, hydrocarbons, welding fumes, silica and other airborne substances.
Exposure levels depend on the employee’s role, the materials being handled and the controls in place.
Regular spirometry testing can provide baseline information and help monitor lung function in workers whose jobs involve ongoing respiratory hazards.
Welders and Metalworkers
Welding, cutting, brazing and other metalworking processes can produce fumes containing very small airborne particles. Workers may also be exposed to gases generated by the welding process, coatings on the metal or cleaning products used nearby.
The level of risk can vary depending on:
- The metals being worked with
- The welding method
- Ventilation
- The length and frequency of exposure
- Whether the work takes place in a confined space
- The respiratory protection being used
Spirometry testing may be appropriate for welders, fabricators and other metalworkers when workplace assessments identify a potential risk to respiratory health.
Manufacturing Workers
Manufacturing employees can encounter many different respiratory hazards, including dust, powders, smoke, fumes and chemical vapours. Industries that may require lung function monitoring include:
- Metal fabrication
- Plastics and composites
- Chemical manufacturing
- Food processing
- Pulp and paper
- Cement and concrete production
- Automotive manufacturing
- Industrial coating and painting
Because manufacturing environments vary significantly, spirometry testing decisions should be based on the substances present and the employee’s actual exposure.
Woodworkers and Sawmill Employees
Cutting, sanding and processing wood can produce large amounts of airborne dust. Workers in sawmills, cabinet shops, furniture manufacturing facilities and construction environments may be repeatedly exposed during their shifts.
Even when dust collection systems are used, respiratory monitoring may be appropriate for employees with ongoing occupational exposure. Spirometry lung function test can help identify changes in breathing performance that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Agricultural Workers
Agricultural work can expose employees to grain dust, mould, animal dander, pesticides and other organic materials. Respiratory hazards may be especially concentrated inside barns, grain bins, silos and other enclosed spaces.
Farm workers, grain-handling employees and workers in livestock facilities may require additional respiratory protection and monitoring depending on the nature and extent of their exposure.
Miners and Quarry Workers
Mining and quarry operations can generate significant levels of rock, mineral and silica dust. Employees may also be exposed to diesel exhaust, blasting fumes and other airborne contaminants.
Workers involved in drilling, blasting, crushing, hauling and processing materials may be candidates for a routine spirometry lung function test. Establishing a baseline when a worker begins an exposed position makes it easier to identify changes during future testing.
Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos exposure may occur during building renovation, demolition, maintenance or hazardous-material removal. It can also affect employees who work around older materials containing asbestos.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take many years to develop. A Spirometry lung function test cannot diagnose a specific asbestos-related disease on its own, but it may form part of a broader health-surveillance program established by an occupational health professional.
Employees Who Wear Respirators
A respirator places additional resistance on breathing. Employees required to wear one may need a health assessment to determine whether they can use it safely, particularly if they have an existing respiratory or cardiovascular condition.
Spirometry and respirator fit testing serve different purposes. Spirometry measures aspects of lung function, while a fit test confirms whether a specific respirator creates an adequate seal on the employee’s face. Depending on the workplace and medical guidance, an employee may need both.
Workers Reporting Breathing Symptoms
Employees should not wait for scheduled testing if they begin experiencing respiratory symptoms. Concerns that may require medical attention include:
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Difficulty completing normal physical tasks
- Recurring respiratory irritation
Workplace spirometry can provide useful information, but it is not a replacement for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Employees experiencing new or worsening symptoms should be directed to the appropriate medical care.
New Employees Entering High-Risk Positions
Testing a worker before or shortly after occupational exposure begins can establish a baseline measurement of lung function. Future results can then be compared with that initial test to identify meaningful changes.
Baseline testing may be particularly helpful when employees are entering jobs involving regular exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes or other airborne contaminants.
What Does Spirometry Testing Measure?
Spirometry measures lung function, and during the lung function test, the employee takes a deep breath and exhales as forcefully and completely as possible into the spirometer. The test records several measurements that help assess pulmonary function, including:
- Forced vital capacity, which measures the total amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after taking a full breath
- Forced expiratory volume, which measures how much air is exhaled within a specific amount of time
- The speed at which air moves out of the lungs
- Patterns that may indicate reduced airflow or restricted lung capacity
These measurements from the lung function test can help occupational health professionals recognize patterns associated with obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung diseases and also catch early detection. Common occupational lung diseases may develop after repeated exposure to dust, fumes, fibres or chemicals, making consistent spirometry testing valuable for workers in higher-risk environments.
Spirometry results do not diagnose a specific lung disease on their own. However, changes in the results may show that an employee should be referred to a qualified healthcare provider for further assessment.
How Often Should Workplace Spirometry Testing Be Completed?
There is no single testing schedule that applies to every employee or workplace. The appropriate frequency can depend on:
- The type of respiratory hazard
- The employee’s exposure level
- Applicable occupational health requirements
- Medical recommendations
- Previous test results
- Changes in the employee’s role or working conditions
Employers should consult their occupational health and safety program, exposure assessments and qualified health professionals when developing a spirometry testing schedule.
What Happens During a Spirometry Test?
During testing, the employee takes a deep breath and then exhales into a spirometer as forcefully and completely as possible. The test measures factors such as how much air the employee can exhale and how quickly the air leaves the lungs.
Several attempts may be completed to obtain consistent and reliable results. The process is straightforward, non-invasive and generally takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes per employee.
Learn more about Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing’s workplace spirometry testing and assessments.
Schedule Mobile Spirometry Testing for Your Workplace
If your employees are exposed to dust, fumes, chemicals or other respiratory hazards, regular lung function testing can be an important part of your occupational health program. Early detection can help prevent lung disease and protect long-term lung function.
Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing provides efficient on-site spirometry testing for businesses throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Eastern British Columbia. Our mobile service makes it easier to test your employees while keeping interruptions to your operation to a minimum.
Contact Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing or call 403-399-4775 to discuss your workplace testing needs and request a quote.