Workplace Guides

Anthrax is an infection caused by bacteria which form protective spores to survive in extreme conditions, enabling it to survive for long periods of time. When we come into contact with these spores an infection may result, but not always.

Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for over 5,000 deaths per year in Britain. There are usually long delays between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease, which can vary between 15 and 60 years.

The risk of developing occupational asthma can be higher in certain industries/workplaces where particular asthmagens are known to exist, these include, food production, printing, milling, woodworking and painting industries. In most office environments the risk of occupational asthma is low.

The risk that biological and chemical agents will be used deliberately to cause harm has historically been very low outside wars. However, in a time of international conflict and terrorist activity, it is easy to become paranoid about biological and chemical agents being used in the UK.

Avian influenza (bird flu/avian flu) is a contagious disease of animals caused by strains of the influenza virus that normally only infect birds and, less commonly, pigs and some other mammals. On rare occasions, they have also crossed the species barrier to cause infection in humans.

BREEAM In-Use is a scheme used to assess environmental impacts and sustainability issues relating to existing buildings.  It is designed to reduce the running costs of buildings and improve their environmental and sustainability credentials by identifying areas for improvement.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a non-flammable, colourless, odourless gas. The main generators of carbon dioxide in the workplace are human beings. The gas is produced as a by-product of breathing.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless, tasteless and poisonous gas which interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. As a result of these properties, it is often referred to as the silent killer.