How Can Farmer's Lung Be Prevented In The Workplace?

How Can Farmer’s Lung Be Prevented In The Workplace?

There is no way of knowing in advance whether or not you are immune to the moulds that can cause Farmer’s Lung. The only way to prevent this condition is to avoid contact with dust from mouldy plant material. While it is difficult to completely eliminate contact, there are several measures that will minimise exposure to the dust.

• Make sure that crops are adequately dried prior to storage. This is the key to stopping mould growth; artificial drying systems and preservatives can play an important role in preventing the development of the spores.
• If possible, damp crops should be covered or kept in a silo.
• Always use a plastic sheet or other solid cover to cap open silos.
• Wet down the top of a silo before uncapping the ensiled material. This prevents mouldy dust from becoming airborne. This should be done even if the silage was covered with a plastic sheet, because the top layers still have a tendency to develop some mould.
• Use the same wetting techniques when cleaning out grain bins or other areas that are likely to be dusty.
• Provide as much ventilation as possible when working in dusty areas. For example, make sure doors and windows are open. If practical, construct new openings to provide more ventilation.
• Move the work outdoors whenever possible. While this is usually not practical in the case of feeding operations, be sure to open bales that you think might contain mould outdoors.
• Avoid dusty work in confined areas. When constructing new farm buildings or modifying older structures, keep facilities as open as possible.
• If you absolutely have to work with mouldy material, try to keep your distance.
• Mechanise feeding operations if economically plausible. For example, handling large round bales with a tractor keeps an operator away from the dust.
• In most cases, it is best to wear personal protective equipment such as a respirator or other dust protection. Make sure that you are familiar with how it should be worn and maintained to ensure it provides the protection required.
• Ensure that all vehicles have suitable and appropriate ventilation, and ensure it is regularly and properly maintained.

Once a person has farmer’s lung, the only way to control it is to avoid all contact with the spores. This means doubling the precautions listed above. If possible, any dusty work should be handled by someone other than the sufferer as ignoring these precautions can lead to progressively more serious lung damage.

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