HSE target Garages and Bodyshops

A man in a white protective suit and mask using a spray gun to apply red paint in a workshop.

a man with a respiratory protective equipment after face fit testing

A employee using chemicals in the workplace, requiring skin surveillance.

The HSE has launched a series of inspections across motor vehicle repair businesses throughout the UK. Focusing on the occupational asthma risks how effectively they’re protecting workers from isocyanate exposure which is one of the leading cause of occupational asthma in the UK.

These visits aim to ensure that garages and bodyshops have the right controls, procedures, and monitoring systems in place to protect and safeguard employees’ health. Going forward inspectors will be checking everything from spray booth ventilation and personal protective equipment (PPE) to health surveillance records and training standards.

Why Isocyanates Matter

As you maybe aware, isocyanates are powerful chemicals found in many paints, lacquers, coatings, and finishes used in vehicle repair. When they are inhaled, even in small amounts, they can cause serious respiratory problems. Unfortunately, many skilled vehicle paint sprayers develop occupational asthma each year, a condition that can potentially end their careers and impact their quality of life permanently.

Protecting Workers’ Health

Employers are expected to demonstrate that they are effectively controlling exposure through:

  • Proper use of spray booths and extraction systems
  • Face Fit-tested respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
  • Regular air monitoring – lung function and health surveillance
  • Staff training on safe handling procedures

For more information about the HSE inspections and risks, recommended control measures, and how to monitor workers’ health, visit the HSE website