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Statistically, farmer's and agricultural workers are at high risk of suffering a personal injury as a result of an accident at work, but they can also be affected by many of the substances they handle which could cause an illness known as farmer's lung.
What is farmer's lung?
The condition known as farmer's lung is caused by inhalation of spores and micro-organisms which form when hay, straw, grain and similar farm produce goes mouldy after being harvested.
If the crop has been harvested when damp and then stored in such a way which allows it to become heated as it dries out then mould spores can form and become inhaled when crop dust is disturbed.
The condition can be debilitating as it disrupts the normal function of the lungs. Mould spores are minute over 250,000 could fit onto the head of a pin - and as a result they are able to bypass the body's natural defence against dust and allergens of coughing and sneezing.
Once in the lungs, the spores settle in the lower part of the farmer's lung and, since the majority of gas exchange involving oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the lower lung, spore toxins are able to travel throughout the sufferer's blood stream along with oxygen in the bloodflow.
As the lungs try to repel the spores the delicate tissue can become permanently scarred. Eventually, the body may develop an allergic reaction which produces pneumonia- like symptoms.
Acute farmer's lung presents with fever, headache, chest tightness and wheezing. In the long term there can be:
Protecting workers from contracting farmer's lung
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) employers have a duty to protect workers from dust and materials produced at work which may endanger their health.
They are required to carry out full risk assessments for any hazardous procedure and to inform, instruct and train employees about the risks and what precautions must be taken.
Where methods of preventing exposure to dust which may contain the spores that can lead to farmer's lung are not reasonably practicable workers should wear suitable, well-maintained and properly fitted respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
If you have contracted farmer's lung and feel your employer has not protected you in a way which complies with COSHH regulations then you may be able to make a no win, no fee compensation claim with the personal injury solicitors at YouClaim.
Call us today to see if you might be eligible to make a farmer's lung compensation claim. Alternatively, you can fill in an online claim form and we will call you back at a time to suit you, or why not have a real-time echat with one of knowledgeable legal advisors.
