SCREENING SPIROMETRY
Occupational lung function testing

Lung function testing services for employee health screening.
Can be stand-alone or alongside audiometry.

Mobile spirometry ● quick and simple on-site screening
Results reviewed by RCN Registered Nurse ● All UK mainland covered

bakeries ● welding ● joinery ● metal fabrication ● grinding

This can be provided either alongside audiometric testing or as a separate stand-alone service, and undertaken in one of our mobile units.

The need for spirometry arises mainly from CoSHH. Part of CoSHH covers chemicals, products or dusts which may have an impact on an individual's health if inhaled, which is where spirometry comes in, (also referred to as lung function testing). The aim of this type of health surveillance is to help identify any problems which may be developing, hopefully before the individual becomes aware of them, allowing treatment to be obtained before it becomes a problem.

All our lung function tests are undertaken by trained personnel and then reviewed by our Occupational Health Advisor (a RCN registered nurse).

Our job is to process your employees, administering spirometry tests and identifying those who have an issue. This means follow-up action (usually a doctor’s review) and employer’s time can then focus on the smaller number who need it, with advice on what should be done coming from both us initially, and any doctor’s subsequent feedback.

Spirometry equipment

We use the latest PC-controlled spirometers - no old-style tubes with a spring inside and a dial on the side here! Our spirometers give accurate repeatable results and immediate classification to current NICE guidelines.

Instant results

Results are generated immediately and the attendee is given a copy of them and its meaning is explained to them before they leave. Results cover peak flow (how fast they can exhale) and total volume.

Hygienic testing

We test with the person sitting facing outside the van so all breath is directed outside. We use a fresh disposable mouthpiece per person and they are on-way so nobody can inhale through the spirometer. The spirometer is sanitised between every person.

“Thank you for attending site [last week] to undertake the hearing and lung tests. The feedback I’ve had is that both your people were very professional, polite and the whole process ran very smoothly, and the results were explained very well to employees.”
Health and Safety Manager, Mansfield,

Screening spirometry quote

More information on our spirometry service

  • The simplest way to think of it is that you are renting a piece of kit to do some lunge tests, but as it is specialist it comes with a trainer person to operate it for you

    Each attendee has a pre-test review of their breathing health, looking for any history which may have an impact on their lung function. This looks at things like asthma, COPD, previous lung tests which have been a little low and general issues like shortness of breath, current colds, etc.

    The test is then done and they are given a copy of it.

    We will tell the client who is ok and who we recommend a doctor’s review is arranged for, along with any interim safety recommendations we may have based on the session.

  • Either email hello@thenoisechap.com, or complete the form here.

    All we need to know is where in the country you are, how many people you want to cover, and if shifts are being worked.

    If you want audiometry as well, let us know how many people need both tests and how many need just spirometry.

  • If you want to go ahead, just confirm the number of people per shift (specifying if spirometry only or combined with audiometry or skin assessments) and we will draw up a set of appointment times covering everyone.

    If you send an Excel list of names we can add those as well.

  • We will park the screening unit, plug in, calibrate and then test everyone as they arrive.

    If they are having a hearing test as well as a lung test we do the hearing first, then the lung, and finally skin if they are having that too. Each appointment for a combined test takes about 20 minutes.

    We have a waiting room if it is raining so no need to stand outside getting wet.

  • Attendee information

    The attendee gets their result explained to them. This is done in light of their own history, covering what that result means for them specifically. We do get a bit preachy about things like using RPE if needed and smoking.

    Client reports

    Clients get two sets of report documents from us.

    The main report - with an anonymous section which can be circulated to other managers or committees in the business if needed, then a confidential list of who scored what type of result, then specific advice on any ‘fails’.

    A spreadsheet of all attendees, result and importantly, recommended retest date.

    We will highlight all those who need any follow-up action or review by a doctor and tell you any interim safety measures which may be needed pending that feedback.

    Future screening sessions

    We don’t tie you into contracts so you are always free to come back (as we hope you will) or go elsewhere, but even without that ongoing contract in place we will let you know when retests are coming due, helping you manage the programme.

Skin assessment

We also do skin assessments, usually alongside audiometry or spirometry but it can also be a stand-alone assessment if needed.

Skin assessments are a relatively quick test and take a few minutes each.

If you want a price for this, just let us know in the quote request. If you do, it’s a big help to word it as how many combined tests you want rather than X spiro and X skin, as say 20 of each is 40 tests overall if separate, or only 20 if combined, which is a lot cheaper for the client.

Spirometry FAQs

Just a few bits of information on lung function testing which clients may find useful.

  • If you are thinking of getting a quote or booking in, it is natural to look at the competency of the company you are thinking of using.

    Trained and certified staff gathering the data

    Individual staff who undertake the tests are first trained in-house, for at least a month just on this, and then attend third party courses giving certifications of competence.

    They write the initial draft report.

    The results and reports then go through a two-stage review process to ensure all is correct.

    First In-house review of all results

    This review is done by the boss and is to make sure things match the overall company policies and that the reports are worded clearly for clients.

    Has a degree in biology, giving a good understanding of lungs and their mechanisms.

    Is also certified to undertake spirometry.

    Is also trained in wider workplace risks relating to dusts, fumes, etc. and their management.

    Has over 20 years of experience in the field.

    Second in-house review, Occupational Health Advisor (RCN)

    A review of the results is then done by an in-house Occupational Health Advisor, a registered nurse with the RCN, and holds the Occupational Health Diploma, and they amend or confirm the result and report’s recommendations.

  • Spirometry (or lung function testing) is a fairly simple test which is measuring two things, the speed with which someone can blow air out, and how much air they have in their lungs.

    Speed or power equates roughly to how clear the airways are in the lungs, while the volume is an indication of deeper lung health.

  • To be cocompliant, results which show an issue which is not known or supported by their history should be reviewed by a doctor.

    The Regs say that people who fail must be reviewed by a ‘doctor’. The accompanying guidance says ‘e.g. Occupational Physician’.

    In the past the first point of referral was often to a G.P., especially in smaller companies, but the HSE are very clear now (late 2023 onwards) that this must be to an Occupational Physician, not a G.P.

    Clients have a choice here. We have agreements in place with a team of Occupational Physicians and can refer to them if you wish, or you can use any other Occupational Physician of your choosing. There is no obligation to use the ones we work with.

    You can even choose the GP route and should a client choose a G.P. route instead then this is their prerogative, but do be aware that should you get an inspection from the HSE’s Occupational Health arm then they get very excitable about that and you can expect a lot of pushback on it.

  • A minimum of three blows are done, often more, spaced out a little. The spacing is important as if you go too fast their results get worse as they get a bit knackered.

    The test is exhale-only, so they take a big deep breath, then put the tube in their mouth and blow as hard as they can until no more air is coming out. It only takes a few seconds per blow.

  • Yes spirometry is perfectly safe for pretty much everyone, but as it places strain on the chest and abdomen of the person there are some very limited groups for whom it carries an increased risk and for whom we would not test:

    • Recent heart attack

    • Recent severe angina

    • Recent major surgery

    For these, ‘recent’ means within the last six weeks.

    Also:

    • Uncontrolled (untreated) very high blood pressure. (That means blood pressure which is so high it starts to have an impact on their daily life, usually impeding physical actions).

    • And as a precaution, any woman in the 7th month of pregnancy onwards, or at any stages of a pregnancy in any woman who as a history of miscarriage.

      Spirometry is not known to cause problems in pregnancy and some women undergo routine spirometry right through a pregnancy, however, due to the strain it places on the body we have been informed several times over the years that some individual GPs have recommended against a spirometry test, especially in women who have suffered multiple miscarriage. As a result, to be safe we are reluctant to conduct a spiro test on anyone beyond the seven month point or if they have suffered previous miscarriage).

    If someone turns up for a lung function test who meets these we may therefore not test and just include a note in the report as to why not.