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Resources

This page provides links to sources of specific guidance on safe working with metalworking fluids and associated ill health issues, as well as to health and safety in engineering in general.

Publications

Can be downloaded free from this page or obtained in bulk at a cost from HSE Books

HSE leaflets

Can be downloaded free from this page or obtained in bulk at a cost from HSE Books.

Non-HSE publications

United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA)

A good practice guide for safe handling and disposal of MWF's (PDF) [7] has been prepared by a panel of experts from UK Lubricants Association (UKLA) and HSE. The guide provides good practice advice on how to maintain and control exposure to MWFs to prevent ill health in workshops.

COSHH essentials information sheets

These information sheets[8] will help managers of workshops using metalworking fluids comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

Case studies

By following the key messages[13] you will be taking significant steps to manage the risks to health, and to comply with the law on dealing with health risks from metalworking fluids.

Link URLs in this page

  1. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations: Approved Code of Practice and guidance L5 (2002) (see Appendix 3)https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l5.pdf
  2. Health and Safety in Engineering Workshops HSG129 (2004 rev)https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg129.htm
  3. Working safely with metalworking fluids: A guide for employeehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg365.pdf
  4. Preventing contact dermatitis at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg233.htm
  5. Controlling the risks in the workplacehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf
  6. Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHHhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.htm
  7. A good practice guide for safe handling and disposal of MWF'shttp://www.ukla.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/UKLA-HSE-Good-Practice-Guide-for-Safe-Handling-and-Disposal-of-Metalworking-Fluids.pdf
  8. information sheetshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/metalworking-fluids.htm
  9. Powertrain Occupational Respiratory Disease Outbreak: Report of Immunological Investigationhttps://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20230103120103/https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/misc/mu0601.pdf
  10. Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant. Wendy Robertson et alhttp://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/thx.2006.072199v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&minscore=5000&resourcetype=HWCIT
  11. Koyo Bearings (Europe) Limited, Barnsleyhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/coiyh44109.htm
  12. Martin Baker Aircraft Company Limited, Higher Denhamhttps://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20180702130736/http:/press.hse.gov.uk/2016/ejector-seat-manufacturer-fined-800000-for-failing-to-protect-workers-health/
  13. key messageshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/metalworking/about.htm#key
  14. United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA)http://www.ukla.org.uk/
  15. Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA)http://www.mta.org.uk/
  16. Make UKhttps://www.makeuk.org/
  17. UNITEhttp://www.unitetheunion.org/
  18. Health surveillancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/index.htm
  19. Working safely with metalworking fluids: A guide for employeeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg365.pdf
  20. Good Practice Guide for Safe Handling and Disposal of Metalworking Fluidshttp://www.ukla.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/UKLA-HSE-Good-Practice-Guide-for-Safe-Handling-and-Disposal-of-Metalworking-Fluids.pdf

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Updated 2024-12-24