More than half of manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids are failing to adequately protect employees, inspections carried out by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have shown.
News
Businesses are failing to protect workers from dangers of metalworking fluids
By
on 17 January 2024
HSE began inspecting businesses working with metalworking fluids in October, as part of a six-month campaign to improve safety. It will continue carrying out spot checks until the end of March. So far, says HSE, more than half of the inspections it has carried out have identified failings.
Exposure to metalworking fluids, also known as white water, can be harmful to the lungs and skin following exposure. Companies are required by law to carry out health checks on employees who are exposed to these substances. However, many of the firms inspected by HSE had failed to check employees for signs of lung and skin conditions.
Exposure to metalworking fluids can be harmful to the lungs and skin following exposure. Photograph: iStock
Poor performance was also recorded around the control of metalworking fluids in businesses that use computer numerical control (CNC) machines, says HSE. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) should be fitted to CNC machines, in order to carry away harmful metalworking fluid mist.
"Our inspections found that there are still far too many businesses which do not have key control measures or health surveillance in place," said HSE inspector Fiona McGarry. "As a result, enforcement action is being taken against these manufacturers."
HSE has created an online quiz in an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers of exposure to metalworking fluids and improve knowledge in this area.
HSE inspector Fiona McGarry:"Our inspections found that there are still far too many businesses which do not have key control measures or health surveillance in place." Photograph: HSE
HSE statistics on work-related ill-health and workplace injuries for 2022/23 show that 12,000 people die each year from lung diseases linked to exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. A further 19,000 new cases of breathing and lung problems are thought to have been caused or made worse by work.
The manufacturing industry, says HSE, has a "substantially" higher-then-average rate for occupational asthma.
"Lung problems and irritated skin don't have to be associated with working with metalworking fluid if you take the right precautions," said McGarry.
NEWS
Work-related ill health improved slightly in 2023/24 but deaths and injuries rose, HSE data shows
By Kerry Reals on 20 November 2024
The number of people in Great Britain who reported suffering work-related ill health fell slightly in 2023/24, compared with the previous year, but work-related fatalities and non-fatal injuries were both up, according to the latest annual statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
‘Cut the theatrics’ and focus on solutions, UN climate chief urges COP29 delegates
By Kerry Reals on 19 November 2024
It is time to end the “brinkmanship” and “get down to the real business” of reaching a global agreement on financial support to help developing countries cut emissions and cope with the effects of climate change, the United Nations’ climate chief told negotiators in Azerbaijan as the COP29 summit entered its final week.
Accidental deaths in UK reach all-time high: RoSPA
By Kerry Reals on 18 November 2024
People in the UK are “substantially” more likely to have a serious accident today than they were 20 years ago and accidental deaths have reached an all-time high, according to a new report from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).