HSE Guide P40: Wide-Format Printing with UV-Curable Inks (Ozone)
Engineering Controls for UV Ink Printing Operations
HSE COSHH Essentials Guidance Sheet P40 provides practical advice for controlling exposure to hazardous substances during wide-format printing processes that use UV-curable inks.
The guidance forms part of the COSHH Essentials series and focuses on the application of engineering controls, good occupational hygiene practice and safe working procedures to minimise worker exposure.
UV-curable printing technology is widely used in sectors such as:
- Sign making
- Vehicle graphics
- Exhibition displays
- Industrial printing
- Point-of-sale materials
- Packaging production
Whilst UV-curable inks offer many operational advantages, they may also present health risks through skin contact and inhalation exposure if not adequately controlled.
The guidance covers:
- UV-curable inks
- Exposure control measures
- Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
- Printer enclosure
- Cleaning operations
- Solvent use
- Skin protection
- Maintenance activities
- Waste handling
This resource is relevant to:
- Occupational Hygienists
- LEV Designers/Commissioners/Testers
- Printing Industry Managers
- Signage Manufacturers
- Health & Safety Professionals
- Maintenance Engineers
- Duty Holders
Source Document
View the HSE guidance here:
Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Document Type: Control Guidance Sheet
Status: Current
Last reviewed by LEVCentral: June 2026
LEVCentral Expert Commentary
The printing industry is not traditionally associated with LEV in the same way as welding, woodworking or metalworking.
However, many modern printing processes involve substances capable of causing occupational ill health if exposure is not adequately controlled.
UV-curable inks contain a variety of chemical components including:
- Acrylates
- Photoinitiators
- Pigments
- Additives
- Solvents used during cleaning operations
Some of these materials may cause:
- Skin irritation
- Dermatitis
- Sensitisation
- Respiratory irritation
if appropriate controls are not in place.
One of the strengths of COSHH Essentials P40 is that it recognises that exposure control is not achieved through a single measure.
Instead, the guidance promotes a combination of:
- Process design
- Engineering controls
- Good housekeeping
- Personal hygiene
- Worker training
- Maintenance procedures
This reflects a core occupational hygiene principle:
Effective exposure control is usually achieved through multiple layers of protection rather than a single control measure.
For LEV professionals, the document provides a useful example of how HSE applies practical engineering controls within a specialist industrial sector.
Key Learning Points
UV-Curable Inks Can Present Health Risks
Whilst often regarded as cleaner than some traditional printing technologies, UV-curable inks may still present occupational health hazards through skin contact and airborne exposure.
Engineering Controls Remain Important
The guidance places emphasis on controlling exposure at source through suitable engineering measures and workplace design.
Cleaning Activities Can Create Significant Exposure
In many industrial processes, cleaning operations may present greater exposure risks than normal production activities.
Skin Exposure Requires Careful Management
Dermatitis and skin sensitisation remain important considerations when handling UV-curable inks and associated materials.
LEV Forms Part of the Exposure-Control Strategy
Local Exhaust Ventilation may be required where airborne contaminants are generated during operation, maintenance or cleaning activities.
Hazards Associated with UV Printing
Ink Handling
Operators may be exposed during:
- Ink replacement
- Cartridge changes
- Spill response
- Maintenance activities
Cleaning Solvents
Cleaning agents used on print heads, rollers and equipment may present inhalation and skin exposure risks.
Maintenance Activities
Exposure potential may increase when machine guards or enclosures are removed.
Waste Handling
Contaminated materials and waste products require appropriate management to minimise worker exposure.
Engineering Control Measures
Local Exhaust Ventilation
LEV may be used to remove contaminants generated during:
- Printing operations
- Cleaning processes
- Maintenance activities
Process Enclosure
Where practical, enclosure of printing equipment helps reduce contaminant release into the workplace.
Controlled Cleaning Areas
Designated cleaning locations can help contain contamination and improve exposure management.
Storage Arrangements
Proper storage reduces the likelihood of leaks, spills and accidental exposure.
Occupational Hygiene Considerations
Exposure Assessment
Occupational hygiene assessments may be appropriate where significant quantities of UV-curable inks are used or where exposure concerns exist.
Skin Exposure Monitoring
The guidance highlights the importance of preventing direct skin contact with inks and associated materials.
Health Surveillance
Health surveillance may be appropriate where substances capable of causing dermatitis or sensitisation are present.
Training and Awareness
Workers should understand both the hazards associated with the products they use and the control measures provided.
Why This Guidance Matters
Many organisations focus heavily on respiratory exposure whilst overlooking skin exposure.
COSHH Essentials P40 provides a useful reminder that:
Occupational hygiene is about controlling all routes of exposure.
The guidance also demonstrates how relatively simple engineering controls and good working practices can significantly reduce exposure potential without requiring complex solutions.
For LEV professionals, it provides a practical example of how engineering controls fit within a broader exposure-control strategy.
Relationship to Other Key Guidance
P40 should be read alongside:
- COSHH Approved Code of Practice (L5)
- COSHH Essentials Control Guidance Sheets
- HSG258 – Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work
- EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits
- The Technical Basis for COSHH Essentials
- BOHS Occupational Hygiene Guidance
Together these publications provide a structured framework for assessing and controlling workplace exposure to hazardous substances.
Further Resources
- COSHH Approved Code of Practice (L5)
- The Technical Basis for COSHH Essentials
- HSG258 – Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work
- EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits
- BOHS Guidance on Exposure Assessment
- COSHH Essentials Guidance Series
Recommended Learning
- M200 Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene
- M501 Measurement of Hazardous Substances
- P600 Methods for Testing Effectiveness of LEV
- P601 Thorough Examination and Testing of LEV Systems
- P602 LEV Design Principles
- P604 Performance Evaluation and Management of LEV Systems
Thought Leadership
- Engineering Controls Beyond Traditional LEV Applications
- Understanding Dermal Exposure Risks
- COSHH Essentials in Practice
- Applying Occupational Hygiene Principles Across Industries
LEVCentral Observation
COSHH Essentials P40 illustrates how occupational hygiene principles apply across a wide range of industries, including sectors not traditionally associated with LEV.
Whilst the printing industry may appear very different from welding or woodworking, the underlying principles remain the same: identify hazardous substances, understand how exposure occurs and implement effective controls at source wherever possible.
The guidance also serves as a useful reminder that skin exposure can be just as important as inhalation exposure when assessing workplace health risks.
