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Flour

Answer

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the assessment of the extent, cause and prevention of occupational health conditions. Treatment is not within HSE's area of competence.

Exposure to flour in the workplace (through inhalation and skin contact) can lead to a variety of health conditions including occupational contact dermatitis, and occupational asthma. In recent years, the majority of new cases of respiratory disease where flour was the suspected cause were occupational asthma. Further information on the extent of these conditions is available on the Health and Safety Executive's website at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asthma.htm

and

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/dermatitis/index.htm

Prevention of health conditions arising from exposure to flour dust and their long-term consequences depends on reducing the risk of exposure and on the early recognition of harm. Guidance on minimising exposure to flour dust can be found at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/bakers.htm

Similarly, guidance on simple measures to prevent work-related contact dermatitis can be found at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/catering/dermatitis.htm

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

115712; 548 c706W

Session

2012-13

Subjects

Health services Health and safety Flour

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk