The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to prevent baker’s asthma—both from developing and from being a problem at work.
- Wearing personal protective equipment (such as a mask) can prevent the majority of flour dust or other substances from being inhaled.3
- Low-dust flours and liquid enzymes (not powder) should be used for baking.3
- Ensure good ventilation in the bakery or work area.3
- Use a damp cloth for dusting to catch the dust rather than stir it around; vacuuming may also be better than sweeping.3
- Allergy tests can be done for the substances used in the bakery to determine a person’s sensitivity to them.4
- Work “gently”, in a manner that promotes less dust.5 Don’t throw flour bags, stir slowly or use a low-speed mixer until flour is mixed into wet ingredients, and “dust” items with equipment meant to do so to contain the dust.5
- Environmental health and safety checks should be carried out regularly.1 Avoidable substances should be removed from the environment, and machinery should be well-ventilated and cleaned regularly to avoid becoming dusty.
- If you have asthma, advocate for yourself! Inform your employer, supervisor, and coworkers of your asthma, and ensure they know where you keep your inhaler. If you notice things that may be detrimental to your health, speak up.
With proper precautions, it should be possible to manage your baker’s or other occupational asthma symptoms so that you can remain in your chosen workplace and profession. However, if asthma continues to be a problem, you may need the support of an occupational health and safety expert to convince your employer to make the necessary changes. Changing jobs may be a “solution”, but it is not your only option!
