Make sure you have the right workplace facilities

Metalworking inspections focus on local exhaust ventilation

HSE is inspecting manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids or coolants in their machining processes.

Inspectors will be focused on how employers are ensuring workers are protected from exposure to fluid or mist generated by computer numerical control (CNC) machines and that regular health checks are in place.

There are 3 areas where manufacturing companies, particularly smaller companies, commonly fall down on compliance:

• not having Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
• not completing regular fluid quality checks
• not providing regular health checks for lung and skin conditions

Find out more

See our campaign website for more details including:

• guidance on buying and using local exhaust ventilation
• machining with metalworking fluids information sheet
• how to look after your metalworking fluid
• setting up occupational health and health surveillance

Hydrogen-fuelled vehicles in tunnels and confined spaces

Earlier this year HSE published its eighth Annual Science Review. This year there is a focus on our activities enabling the safe deployment of net zero energy technologies.

One of the case studies featured highlights HSE’s research into hydrogen-fuelled vehicles in tunnels and confined spaces.

Find out more by downloading this year’s science review or watching our YouTube video.

Everyone needs support at work

There is a collective responsibility to create workplaces where individuals are truly supported, valued and empowered.

HSE published non-statutory guidance including a set of simple core principles, which will help employers create workplaces that are safe and supportive to enable disabled workers or workers with long-term health conditions to thrive.

Our Talking Toolkit will help employers and managers apply these core principles and includes questions you can use to start practical conversations with workers.

We encourage you to think about your workplace and really consider the support available to colleagues and workers.

You can also visit the Work Right for Everyone campaign website.

Noise at work research

Research on noise induced hearing loss shows around a fifth of workers could be exposed to high noise levels while doing their job.

While new cases of occupational deafness have significantly dropped over the past decade, HSE is urging workplaces to consider the shout test to manage noise at work and ways to give workers’ ears a break.

HSE’s noise specialist Chris Steel said: “If you are shouting at work and can’t be heard from 2 metres away, the chances are there’s a noise issue. Try it out for yourself and see if you can be heard.”

HSE has important guidance in relation to noise at work although evidence suggests new cases of occupational deafness is in decline.

Find out more by reading our noise at work article.