HSE inspectors are visiting metal fabrication businesses

HSE inspectors are currently visiting metal fabrication businesses across Great Britain to ensure dutyholders know the risks associated with welding fumes and metalworking fluids and have controls in place to protect worker’s respiratory health.

Thousands of people die from work-related lung diseases every year. Inhalation of fume from welding can cause cancer and inhalation of mist from metalworking fluids can result in occupational asthma. Through our metal fabrication inspections we are highlighting the risks of occupational asthma and the devastating impact lung disease has on workers’ lives.

Inspectors will be visiting businesses to check that welding work and use of metalworking fluids are planned correctly to minimise risk; and that adequate control measures are in place to protect workers’ health.

Prepare for your inspection – guidance tools to manage the risk of welding fumes and metalworking fluids in your business.

To ensure your metal fabrication business is managing the risks and is prepared for an inspection, we have detailed below where our guidance is available. These pages provide tools to help businesses ensure they Work Right and have the necessary measures in place to protect workers’ health.

Further information including HSE guidance and resources to help manage the risks from welding fumes can be found here.

HSE guidance and resources to help manage the risks from metalworking fluids can be found here.

Respiratory Health and Training Campaign by NAS

Find out more about respiratory health and how to protect your employees on our dedicated campaign page.