Onsite spirometry
Work Health Professionals provide onsite spirometry, lung function testing, in Perth and around WA. We conduct onsite spirometry in Perth from our mobile testing facilities or in a quiet room at your workplace. FIFO spirometry and health testing is available for remote sites.
Spirometry can be stand alone or part of a health monitoring program.
It is common for organisations to include hearing testing (and ear plug fit testing) with their lung function testing program.
Our accredited mobile hearing test facilities are the ideal solution to meet your WorkSafe health monitoring requirements. We cater for small and large groups, and will ensure we cover your rosters/swings as part of your onsite spirometry or health surveillance program.
What is spirometry?
Spirometry is a way of measuring lung capacity. It is the most important test to diagnose and monitor chronic obstructive pulmonary or a COPD*.
COPD causes narrowing of the bronchial tubes (or airways), resulting in shortness of breath. The greater the narrowing, the more difficult breathing becomes.
Spirometry is a test which measures exactly how much the bronchial tubes have narrowed. The spirometer measures the speed your lungs can be filled and emptied of air, giving an indication of how well your lungs are performing.
How do you do a lung function test?
Spirometry is straightforward. The test involves taking a full breath in and blowing out with your best effort into a tube attached to the spirometer machine. Various measurements will indicate how your lungs are working.
To ensure the test is done accurately, you will be asked to:
- Breathe in as deeply as you can
- Seal your lips around the mouthpiece
- Blow out as hard and fast as you can, and keep going as long as possible or until the tester says stop.
This lung function test is usually repeated three times.
“Occupational lung diseases are entirely preventable diseases that should not be occurring in modern Australia”.
Prof. Allan Glanville, President, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
OSH ‘Duty of Care’ for hazardous exposures
Hazardous exposures in the workplace can put some workers at greater risk of health issues such as respiratory issues like Occupational asthma.
*COPD is a medical term that stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
- The word ‘Chronic’ means it won’t go away
- The word ‘Obstructive’ means limiting airflow
- The word ‘Pulmonary’ means in the lungs
- The word ‘Disease’ means an illness
Many people with COPD have a combination of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. You may also hear COPD referred to as COAD (Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease), COLD (Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease).