Health & Safety Executive

HSE RR1126 – In-Cab Air Filtration in Plant Vehicles to Control Exposure to Hazardous Dust

HSE Research Report RR1126 examines the effectiveness of in-cab air filtration systems fitted to plant vehicles used in dusty work environments. The research focused on the quarry industry but the findings are equally applicable to construction, demolition, mining, waste management, …

HSE Research Report RR1146 – Measuring and Controlling Emissions from Polymer Filament Desktop 3D Printers

HSE Research Report RR1146 investigates airborne emissions generated during the operation of polymer filament desktop 3D printers and evaluates practical control measures for reducing exposure. The research was undertaken following concerns about the increasing use of affordable desktop 3D printers …

HSE Summary Statistics 2024/25

Why Occupational Health Remains One of the UK’s Biggest Workplace Challenges The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics provide a comprehensive overview of work-related injury, illness and occupational disease across Great Britain. The figures provide an important reminder that …

HSE – LEV Information for Employees and Users

This HSE guidance explains the role employees play in ensuring Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems continue to protect health in the workplace. Whilst employers have legal responsibilities for providing, maintaining and testing LEV systems, workers are often the first people …

EH40 – Workplace Exposure Limits 2005 (2020 edition).

EH40 is the Health and Safety Executive’s official publication containing Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for hazardous substances used in Great Britain. The document provides occupational exposure limits for hundreds of airborne contaminants including dusts, fumes, fibres, gases, vapours and mists. …

HSE Technical Basis for COSHH Essentials

Understanding the Science Behind COSHH Essentials and Control Banding The Technical Basis for COSHH Essentials explains the methodology used by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to develop the COSHH Essentials control-banding system. COSHH Essentials is widely used throughout industry …

HSE Explanation of Special Lighting Set-up to Show Invisible Paint Mist

Using Tyndall Lighting to Visualise Airborne Contaminants This HSE presentation explains how special lighting arrangements, commonly known as Tyndall lighting, can be used to make otherwise invisible airborne contaminants visible during LEV assessments and occupational hygiene investigations. The technique uses …

HSE Safety Alert – Change in Enforcement Expectations for Mild Steel Welding Fume

Change in Enforcement Expectations for Mild Steel Welding Fume In February 2019, HSE issued one of the most significant occupational hygiene and LEV-related safety alerts of the last decade. Following new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on …

HSE Flour Dust Guidance Series – Controlling Exposure in Bakeries and Flour Mills

Practical Guidance for Preventing Occupational Asthma and Flour Dust Exposure The HSE Flour Dust Guidance Series (FL Series) provides practical task-specific guidance for controlling exposure to flour dust and baking ingredients within bakeries, flour mills and food manufacturing environments. Produced …

Offshore Guide OCE3 “Painting by Spraying”

OCE3 forms part of HSE’s Offshore COSHH Essentials series and provides practical guidance on controlling exposure to hazardous substances generated during spray painting activities on offshore installations. Spray painting can generate significant concentrations of airborne contaminants including paint mist, solvents …