What at-risk workers can do

  • If you have any concerns about your work health assessment or workplace respiratory management plan, you should raise them with your doctor and PCBU / safety manager. Ensure you receive copies of each plan and discuss their contents and recommendations until you fully understand.
  • Participate fully in the requirements of your workplace respiratory management plan
  • Take your medication/s the way the doctor has ordered
  • Know the causes of your respiratory symptoms and how to respond to them
  • Work with your doctor to control your respiratory condition. Visit them regularly for check-ups, even if your symptoms have been absent for a while
  • Act quickly to treat respiratory difficulty when symptoms occur:
    • after a serious episode, visit your doctor and review your personal and workplace respiratory management plans to prevent future attacks. If you’re not sure, or if you get worse again before you see your doctor, go straight to hospital or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance. Always provide a copy of any updated workplace respiratory management plan to your employer and supervisor and discuss the contents and recommendations
    • if your symptoms improve, you still need to make an appointment to see your doctor, preferably the same day
  • Educate yourself about the signs your respiratory condition could be getting worse, such as:
    • your symptoms, and what they feel like
    • when your symptoms increase, and what that feels like
    • you need your reliever medication more often than usual
    • you cannot do normal activities

Don't ignore symptoms or delay seeking help - prompt action is required.

  • Protect yourself:
    • keep warm if cold air triggers your asthma
    • control germs by washing your hands regularly
    • avoid contact with anyone who's sick
    • get the flu vaccination annually to protect against the flu and its severe consequences. Influenza vaccines used in Australia do not contain any live viruses so you cannot get the flu from a one. The vaccine is free for people with severe asthma and anyone over 65
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