Lung Function Tests (Spiriometry)

Spirometry tests assess lung capacity and function: We test how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs in one forced breath, as well as how easily and fast you can blow the air out of your lungs.

It is one of the most important tests available to assess lung impairment.

Benefits of lung function tests include:

Ensure a safer work environment for all employees

Keep you compliant with legislation

Detect lung function issues in the early stages

Occupational lung issues pose a significant concern for workplace health, underscoring the importance for employers to proactively prevent these conditions through routine lung function tests for their employees.

It is also a legal requirement under the The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

It must be completed where employees are exposed to substances and/or processes which are hazardous to the respiratory system. Some of these substances include isocyanates, metalworking fluids, flour and grain dust, wood dust, latex, coal and silica, rosin-cored solder fume, glues, welding fumes, fibreglass, animals and resins.

The lungs can be permanently damaged and develop COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) fibrosis, and asthma. By monitoring lung function on a regular basis, it is possible to pick up trends and early changes to prevent more damaging conditions developing.

Swift identification of disease incidence through lung function testing allows for timely and effective remedial action, ultimately reducing future illness.

Considering the prolonged onset of symptoms in occupational lung diseases, lung testing can be a valuable component of New Starter Screening.

Risk Factors

Lung function tests should not be performed on the following people if they have had:

The Assessment

A respiratory questionnaire is completed prior to the lung function test to ensure the employee does not have any contraindications to performing the test. It also gives the occupational health nurse or doctor interpreting the results more information to make the correct diagnosis.

Spirometry is performed to examine how quickly you can empty air from your lungs:

You may be asked to wear a clip on your nose and sit on a chair.
You are asked to breathe in deeply and then slowly breathe out as far as you can gently into a mouthpiece.
You will then be asked to breathe in as much as you can, hold your breath for a few seconds and then breathe out as fast and hard as you can.
You will need to repeat this process at least three times as this gives more accurate results.
The test can take about 20 minutes.

It is advisable to wear loose clothing, avoid smoking for at least 1 hour prior to the test, avoid alcohol at least 4 hours before the test, avoid heavy physical exercise 30 minutes before the test. The occupational health nurse will check if any medication could interfere with the test results.

The Results

Following the test, a printout is produced with a graph. The results are measured against the predicted values. The clinician can then advise if there are any concerns about lung disease.

A spirometer measures the amount of air you can breathe out in one second and the total volume of air you can exhale in one forced breath.

These measurements will be compared with a normal result for someone of your age, height and sex, which will help show if your lungs aren’t working properly.

The measurements will also show whether any problem with your lungs is “obstructive”, “restrictive”, or a combination of the two:

Obstructive airways disease – where your ability to breathe out quickly is affected by narrowing of the airways, but the amount of air you can hold in your lungs is normal (such as in asthma or COPD)
Restrictive lung disease – where the amount of air you can breathe in is reduced because your lungs are unable to fully expand (such as in pulmonary fibrosis).

The test is usually repeated every 12 months.