The UK metalworking industry loses millions of pounds each year to underrated diseases

HSE press release E071:05 - 19 May 2005

The costs to the UK metalworking industry from illnesses like asthma and dermatitis run into many millions of pounds from companies failing to maintain the quality of Metalworking fluids (MWF).

Tens of thousands of workers are exposed to MWFs each year. Industry suffers when affected workers have to take time off and replacements found and trained. MWFs are used during the working of metal, but can become contaminated, making them hazardous when inhaled or come into contact with the skin. This can lead not only to illness for workers but also to reduced fluid and tool life, and poor machine performance.

As part of its Disease Reduction Programme, HSE is creating greater awareness of metalworking fluid diseases, which can cause respiratory illness, including bronchitis and asthma. From 19 May 2005, the HSE website will include a new disease topic : metalworking fluids, which aims to provide helpful and easy access to information for workers in the metalworking industry. http://www.hse.gov.uk/metalworking.

Work-related asthma, is a significant and growing problem, in general with an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 new cases each year. However these are very much underrated and it is estimated that there are many more cases, which go unrecognised and unreported in the workplace.

The United Kingdom Lubricants Association and other stakeholders such as Amicus, recognise the importance of raising the profile of metalworking fluid health and safety particularly in respect of respiratory illness.

Bert Boomkamp, Chairman of the Association's Metalworking Product Stewardship Group says "The new HSE topic pages are an important addition to the guidance on how to manage and control metalworking fluids. The Group urges its members, who represent most of the suppliers of metalworking fluids, to help further implement the guidance."

Jan Willets from HSE's Manufacturing Sector commented, "Good metalworking fluid management is vital for the health and safety of workers in the metalworking industry. The new web pages are an important part of informing all users how to carry out sufficient and suitable risk assessments and how to take sensible measures to control the risks of serious respiratory and skin illnesses in the workplace."

Notes to editors

• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) aim to protect workers (and others who may be affected) from the adverse health effects of substances used at work, such as metalworking fluids. COSHH requires employers to assess the risks arising from their use and take steps to prevent or adequately control exposure.

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