Chris Walls

Occupational Lung Diseases

Biography: Dr Chris Walls is an occupational physician in the Auckland area.  His work experience includes the primary aluminium smelting industry, the food and timber industries and the healthcare industry.  From many years he was a senior medical adviser to the Department of Labour (Occupational Safety and Health) and co-authored many Guidelines including those on “Occupational Stress”, the management of occupationally acquired leptospirosis and the management of violence against healthcare workers.

His interests include occupational asthma and respiratory disease, occupational stress issues and the management of work related low back and forearm pain problems.

He currently practices in the Auckland region and as one of the occupational physicians at the Counties Manukau District Health Board.  He also works in New South Wales and holds a position as Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington.

Dr Walls will discuss the distinction between respiratory illness caused by work and aggravated by work, the principles of diagnosing an occupational asthma and provide an interesting case study.