Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause serious and devastating occupational diseases like asthma and dermatitis, so it’s essential employers regularly review their control measures rather than simply assuming workers are automatically protected.
By Andy Hooke CMIOSH TIFSM, AH Safety and Compliance on 02 April 2026
Portable gas detectors are a vital safety tool for tasks like water treatment and refrigerated food processing, but it’s essential they form part of a wider system for controlling the risks posed by gases, including staff training, detector maintenance and a thorough understanding of the relevant legal duties.
By Megan Hine, Draeger Safety UK on 02 April 2026
Rohan Jindal was cycling to college in Dehli where he was studying engineering, when he had to stop. Not because of the hot sun beating down, but because he couldn’t breathe. And although asthmatic, that wasn’t the trigger. Looking all around he saw construction sites emitting large clouds of dust. This was his ‘a ha’ moment. “What,” he asked himself “do they do in construction to supress the dust?”
By Belinda Liversedge on 30 October 2025
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is a vital tool for protecting workers from hazardous substances that pose an immediate risk to life and the risk of serious and fatal diseases at a later stage. However, RPE will only provide an effective level of protection if it is carefully selected to match the respiratory hazard, type of work and the physical attributes of the wearers.
By Ian Kelsall, Draeger Safety UK on 09 September 2025
If tight-fitting respiratory facepieces are required to protect against inhalation of hazardous substances, wearers must undergo a fit test by a competent person. However, it’s essential employers understand the benefits and shortcomings of the available test methods.
By Paul Salisbury, Fire Safe International Ltd on 04 September 2025
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.
By Kerry Reals on 17 January 2024
Exposure to substances like welding fume and metalworking fluids can cause serious and life-threatening diseases, but the risk can be eliminated or reduced through the correct use of controls.
By David Flower, Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) on 13 December 2023
By Jim Shannon MP on 01 April 2023
Poor indoor air quality in workplaces and homes is a major risk to our health, making it essential we improve our scientific knowledge of the dangers of air pollutants like chemicals.
By Dr Julie Riggs on 12 April 2022
Dangerous substances can and do put people’s safety at risk. Find out how to handle them.
By Andrew Lawrence on 07 January 2020
