03/10/2025
HSE to tackle occupational asthma by inspecting motor vehicle repair firms
Aiming to tackle occupational asthma, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched 1000 targeted inspections of motor vehicle repair businesses across Great Britain.
This campaign will focus on workplaces that use isocyanate-containing paints and coatings — the leading cause of occupational asthma in the UK.
The HSE points out that many skilled vehicle paint sprayers develop this life-changing and debilitating disease each year, forcing them to leave their profession permanently. Once asthma develops, even small amounts of isocyanate exposure can trigger severe attacks, making continued work in the industry impossible for affected workers.
The aim will be to assess compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), under which employers must prevent or control worker exposure to isocyanates using effective control measures and safe working procedures.
Employers must also verify these measures are working by arranging regular health surveillance and biological monitoring. Both are legally required for workers exposed to isocyanates.
Businesses found to be breaching COSHH may face improvement notices, prohibition notices or prosecution leading to unlimited fines.
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