The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has revealed it will launch an inspection campaign later this year on manufacturing and engineering companies who are users of Metal Working Fluids (MWF).

In Northern Ireland, it is estimated around 350 – 400 people each year die due to work related ill health, costing the economy approximately £238 million per year.

The campaign, which will launch this October, will place emphasis on maintaining machinery guarding, how companies control risks from MWF exposure (respirable & dermal routes), and where applicable, have  current Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) records to ensure that the system has been examined within the last 14 months, in compliance with regulations.

MWFs - sometimes referred to as suds, coolants, slurry or soap - are used during the machining of metals to provide lubrication and cooling.

Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause; irritation of the skin/dermatitis, occupational asthma, bronchitis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, breathing difficulties or, rarely, a more serious lung disease called extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

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During their inspections, HSENI Inspectors will check that;

• A suitable risk assessment is available

• Exposure to MWF by inhalation and skin contact is either prevented or adequately controlled

• Quality of MWF is maintained and measures taken to minimise bacterial contamination of metalworking and associated washing fluids

• Health surveillance is being carried out where necessary; and

• Machinery is adequately guarded

HSENI stated: "Where Inspectors find the above are not in place, Enforcement Action, in the form of Improvement and Prohibition Notices, may be issued."

In preparation for the inspections, companies are being advised to use the following check list to assess their current management of MWF;

• is there provision of LEV & valid Thorough Examination & Test Report(s) where applicable?

• are there adequate controls in place when using compressed air e.g. enclosure, low pressure nozzles, automatic alternative to manual clean down of components?

• is there an adequate system in place for managing fluid quality and controlling bacterial growth in conventional water-mix MWFs e.g. dip slides, monitoring of pH and fluid concentration?

• is there adequate information, instruction and training provided in relation to the health risks associated with exposure to MWFs and working practices required?

• is there suitable RPE/PPE provided for mixing and cleaning/maintenance tasks and have your employees been Face Fit Tested?

• is there monitoring records available in relation to evaluation of mist control measures?

• is health surveillance in place where a risk from dermal and/or inhalation exposure has been identified?

• is there enclosure of machining processes e.g. through guarding?

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(LM/MH)