
An engineering company that works in the automotive sector company was sentenced and fined in May 2021 after an employee developed an allergic form of dermatitis after being exposed and coming into contact with metalworking fluids.
In April 2019, an employee was splashed in the face and upper body with metalworking fluid whilst cleaning a grinding machine. The employee had a painful, allergic reaction. As a result, their skin became inflamed, broken and began to ooze. They were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis, whereby even becoming into contact with a small quantity of the metalworking fluid can develop into a serious reaction. After receiving medical advice, it was concluded that they could no longer continue their role as the risk to health was too severe.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to complete suitable and sufficient risk assessments to identify the potential for metalworking fluid exposure. They found that the company had failed to implement the necessary controls to prevent skin contact. This is of significance, as the company was aware the employee had a history of dermatitis.
The Fine
The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. As a result, they were fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £639.59.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Ashley Hall commented: “Dermal risks from metalworking fluids are well known within the industry and there are simple and effective controls available to prevent contact with the skin.
“This serious health condition could have been prevented if the company had carried out the required risk assessment and implemented the necessary control measures, including suitable personal protective equipment, particularly gloves.
“All of these risks and controls are described in HSE and industry guidance, which is widely available.”
Metalworking Fluid Inspections

HSE has announced that their inspectors are continuing to visit businesses across Great Britain as part of their targeted HSE metalworking fluids (MWFS) inspection programme. We’ve put together a post with top tips on how to pass an HSE metalworking fluid inspection.
Control Exposure from Metalworking Fluid

We’ve also assembled a tonne of advice to help businesses provide oil mist-free workplaces. Visit our Oil Mist Extraction page. We help businesses control exposure to metalworking fluids, such as tramp oil that derives from CNC machine tools (Computer Numerical Control), CNC milling machines, cutting tools and CNC mills.
We offer a wide variety of different Oil Mist Extraction products available for a wide variety of industries and sectors. We’re experts at capturing oil mist and safely removing them to help your business provide a pollution-free workplace. We work in the metalworking industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, power generation and general precision machining.
Read an Oil Mist Extraction case study we completed recently.
Request your FREE LEV Site Assessment Today!
If your business participates with activities that involve metalworking fluids, we have the solution for you. We’ll call to arrange a convenient time and date to visit your site. We’ll analyse your working processes, assess the substances used and the contaminants generated. We’ll work out how best to control the dust and fume in a way that’s in line with your COSHH risk assessment. Next, we’ll design you a comprehensive LEV system that adheres to HSG258 guidance and send this you to via email.
We’ll do all this to ensure we fully understand your dust and fume extraction requirements and help you to provide a pollution-free workplace!
This is an amazing service we do for thousands of businesses that undertake processes such as CNC machining and grinding throughout the UK and Ireland every year. We work with such a wide variety of industries, from manufacturing, industrial, woodworking (see our wood dust extraction page), pharmaceutical and automotive workshops to schools, colleges and military establishments.
Request your FREE, no-obligation LEV site assessment today!
Why Choose Auto Extract Systems?

Auto Extract Systems is the UK’s leading LEV company. Over the last 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of businesses create dust and fume free workplaces. We have steadily been building and diversifying into new industries to help businesses provide pollution-free workplaces with comprehensive LEV (local exhaust ventilation) systems. Our team of P602 qualified LEV system design engineers have over 80 years of combined experience, the know-how, and the ability to specify comprehensive LEV systems to help your business meet HSE’s HSG258 guidance.
As experts in all things LEV, we can help your business become COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulation 2002 compliant with a tailored LEV solution. We provide comprehensive design, installation, maintenance and certification services across a range of industry sectors. Find out more about us here.