Milne Safety provides lung function testing in Attleborough for employers across Norfolk. We deliver on-site lung function testing at your workplace or at our training centre in Wymondham, helping you meet your legal duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

What lung function testing involves

Lung function testing uses spirometry to measure how well an employee’s lungs are working. The test records the volume of air a person can breathe out and how quickly they can do it. It is straightforward, non-invasive and typically completed in a few minutes per person.

Results are compared against predicted values for the individual’s age, height and sex. Any decline from a baseline reading can flag early signs of occupational lung disease before symptoms become serious. This is exactly the point of health surveillance: catching problems early enough to act.

Who needs lung function testing in Attleborough

If your COSHH risk assessment identifies that employees are exposed to substances that could affect the lungs, you are likely to need health surveillance including lung function testing. The EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits document lists substances with workplace exposure limits, many of which carry a requirement for respiratory health surveillance.

Common situations in and around Attleborough where lung function testing is needed include:

• Woodworking and joinery, where hardwood and softwood dust is generated
• Engineering and manufacturing involving metalworking fluids, welding fume or grinding dust
• Agriculture and food processing where grain dust, flour dust or organic material is present
• Construction work involving silica dust, cement or insulation fibres
• Spray painting, coating and finishing processes using isocyanates or solvents

If you are unsure whether your workforce needs lung function testing, a COSHH assessment will clarify the position. We carry out COSHH assessments as part of our health and safety consultancy.

Why use a local provider covering Attleborough

Milne Safety has been providing occupational health services across Norfolk since 1978. Our base in Wymondham is around 15 miles from Attleborough, so we can attend your site without the cost or delay of bringing in a provider from outside the county.

Lung function testing sits within our broader health surveillance programme, which also covers audiometric testing, skin surveillance and face-fit testing. If your risk assessments identify multiple hazards, we can carry out several types of surveillance in a single visit, reducing disruption to your working day.

Our directors, David Field (CMIOSH, MIIRSM) and Alec Rodwell (CMIOSH, MIIRSM), hold chartered membership of IOSH and the IIRSM, and the consultancy side of the business means we can link testing results back to practical workplace controls.

Areas around Attleborough we cover

We provide lung function testing across south and central Norfolk, including Attleborough, Wymondham, Norwich, Thetford, Dereham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Testing is delivered at your premises or at our Wymondham centre at Unit 9, Philip Ford Way, Silfield Road, NR18 9AQ.

Frequently asked questions

How often should lung function testing be repeated?

The frequency depends on the substances involved and the level of risk identified in your COSHH assessment. The HSE’s guidance on health surveillance sets out the factors that determine testing intervals. We can advise on an appropriate schedule for your workplace.

Can you test our staff on site in Attleborough?

Yes. We bring the equipment to your premises, which keeps disruption to a minimum. We can also schedule testing at our Wymondham training centre if that suits you better.

What happens if a test result is abnormal?

An abnormal result does not necessarily mean an employee has occupational lung disease, but it does require further investigation. We report findings to you as the employer, and the employee should be referred for further medical assessment. You should also review the relevant COSHH controls to ensure exposure is being properly managed.

Do we need a COSHH assessment before arranging testing?

A COSHH assessment identifies whether health surveillance, including lung function testing, is required. If you do not have a current COSHH assessment for the relevant processes, we can carry one out as part of our health and safety consultancy.

Arrange lung function testing in Attleborough

Call us on 01953 607093 or request a quote to arrange lung function testing for your Attleborough workforce. We can visit your site or host your employees at our Wymondham training centre. If you are not sure what health surveillance your business needs, we will start with a COSHH review and advise from there.