The Revitalising Health and Safety strategy1 was launched jointly by the British government and Health and Safety Commission in June 2000 across England, Scotland and Wales, with Northern Ireland working in close partnership. This 10-year strategy seeks significant improvements in workplace health and safety, setting a target to reduce the incidence of cases of work-related ill-health by 20% by 2010. The predominant work-related disorders are musculoskeletal, mental, dermatological and respiratory diseases.2 Occupational asthma is the most frequently reported occupational respiratory disease in Great Britain, accounting for almost 1000 cases reported to the SWORD (Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease) scheme for occupational and work-related respiratory disease every year.3 Reporting schemes are likely to underestimate true incidences because not all cases come to light,4 with some workers not seeking medical advice.5
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