HSE Guide P7: Printing with UV Curable Inks and Coatings

Controlling Exposure During UV Lithographic Printing Operations

HSE COSHH Essentials Guidance Sheet P7 provides practical advice for controlling worker exposure during lithographic printing processes that use UV-curable inks and coatings.

The guidance forms part of the HSE’s COSHH Essentials for Printers series and focuses on protecting workers from the health risks associated with UV-curable inks, ink mist, ozone generated by UV curing lamps and skin contact with acrylate-containing materials.

The guidance is intended to help employers comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations by implementing effective engineering controls, good working practices and health surveillance arrangements.

The document covers:

UV-curable inks and coatings
Lithographic printing
Ozone generation
Ink mist control
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
General ventilation
Skin protection
Health surveillance
Equipment maintenance
UV light protection

This resource is particularly relevant to:

Occupational Hygienists
LEV Designers/Commissioners/Testers
Printing Industry Managers
Printing Equipment Manufacturers
Health & Safety Professionals
Maintenance Engineers
Duty Holders

Source Document

View the HSE guidance here:

View Original HSE Guidance

Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Document Type: Control Guidance Sheet

Status: Current

Last reviewed by LEVCentral: June 2026

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

UV-curable printing technology offers significant production advantages, including rapid curing, improved print quality and reduced solvent emissions. However, the process introduces a number of occupational health hazards that are often overlooked.

The guidance highlights three principal exposure concerns:

Skin contact with UV-curable inks
Ink mist generation
Ozone produced by UV curing lamps

Of particular interest to LEV professionals is the emphasis placed upon extraction systems used to remove ozone and airborne ink mist generated during printing operations. The guidance specifically states that where UV curing lamps generate ozone, suitable extraction should be provided.

The document also recognises that UV-curable inks frequently contain acrylates which can cause occupational dermatitis and skin sensitisation following repeated exposure. Consequently, the guidance promotes a combination of engineering controls, glove use, hygiene measures and health surveillance.

For LEV professionals, P7 provides a useful example of how COSHH Essentials integrates:

Source control
General ventilation
LEV
Process design
Maintenance
Health surveillance

into a single exposure-control strategy.

Key Learning Points

UV-Curable Inks Can Cause Dermatitis

The guidance warns that skin contact with UV-curable inks should be avoided because some materials can cause dermatitis and skin sensitisation. Health surveillance for dermatitis is recommended.

Ozone Generation Must Be Controlled

Certain UV curing lamps generate ozone, requiring extraction systems to remove contaminants before they accumulate within the workplace.

Ink Mist Can Create Inhalation Risks

Poorly controlled printing operations may generate airborne ink mist that requires engineering controls such as extraction or enclosure.

General Ventilation Remains Important

The guidance recommends providing a good standard of workplace ventilation with adequate fresh air supply and airflow through the printing area.

Engineering Controls Must Be Maintained

LEV systems, extraction systems, interlocks and protective screens should be inspected and maintained to ensure continued effectiveness.

Exposure Hazards Identified

UV-Curable Inks

Direct skin contact with uncured ink can result in irritation, dermatitis and sensitisation. Workers should avoid direct handling wherever possible.

Ozone

UV curing lamps may generate ozone during operation. Without adequate extraction, ozone concentrations can build up within the workplace atmosphere.

Ink Mist

Certain operating conditions can generate airborne droplets that may require capture and removal through engineering controls.

UV Radiation

The guidance highlights the importance of protecting workers from exposure to ultraviolet radiation generated by curing systems. Fixed or interlocked screens should be used to prevent UV light leakage.

Engineering Control Measures

Ozone Extraction

Where ozone is generated, extraction systems should operate whenever UV lamps are in use. The guidance recommends linking extraction operation to lamp operation to ensure control measures remain active.

Ink Mist Control

Printing systems should be configured to minimise mist generation. Where mist is produced, extraction systems or shrouding arrangements should be used to capture contaminants.

General Ventilation

A good standard of workplace ventilation should be maintained throughout the press room to assist in contaminant dilution and worker comfort.

Performance Monitoring

The guidance recommends the use of indicators such as manometers, pressure gauges or tell-tales to confirm extraction systems are functioning correctly.

Why This Guidance Matters to LEV Professionals

Although developed specifically for the printing industry, P7 demonstrates several principles that apply to many industrial processes.

These include:

Capturing contaminants at source
Integrating extraction with process equipment
Monitoring system performance
Managing skin exposure alongside inhalation exposure
Using engineering controls as the primary means of exposure control

The guidance also highlights the importance of considering secondary contaminants such as ozone, which may be generated by the process itself rather than by the materials being handled.

For LEV designers and occupational hygienists, this reinforces the need to understand the entire process rather than focusing solely on the primary substance used.

Occupational Hygiene Considerations

Dermatitis Prevention

The document places significant emphasis on preventing skin exposure through suitable glove selection, hygiene facilities and worker training.

Health Surveillance

Health surveillance programmes should be considered where there is potential for occupational dermatitis arising from exposure to UV-curable inks.

Exposure Assessment

Where concerns exist regarding ozone, ink mist or other contaminants, occupational hygiene monitoring may be required to verify control effectiveness.

Worker Information and Training

Employees should understand the hazards associated with UV-curable inks and the purpose of the engineering controls provided.

Relationship to Other Key Guidance

P7 should be read alongside:

Together these documents provide a comprehensive framework for managing exposure risks within UV printing operations.

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

Managing Secondary Contaminants in Industrial Processes
Engineering Controls Beyond Traditional LEV Applications
Integrating Dermal and Inhalation Exposure Control
Applying COSHH Essentials in Practice

LEVCentral Observation

P7 provides an excellent example of how occupational hygiene extends beyond simply measuring airborne contaminants.

The guidance recognises that effective worker protection requires a combination of engineering controls, good ventilation, skin protection, health surveillance and equipment maintenance.

For LEV professionals, the document is particularly valuable because it demonstrates the importance of controlling process-generated contaminants such as ozone and ink mist through properly designed extraction systems.

It reinforces a principle that applies across many industries: understanding the process is often just as important as understanding the substance.