Bedfordshire firm fined for poor control of metalworking fluids

A Bedfordshire engineering company was fined £27,000 after an HSE inspection found poor control of metalworking fluids on CNC machines. Workers were put at risk of ill-health including dermatitis, asthma and other respiratory conditions. The firm failed to comply with Improvement Notices previously issued by HSE inspectors. HSE guidance states that employers must maintain fluid quality and control bacterial contamination of fluids, minimise skin exposure to fluids, prevent or control airborne mists and, where there is exposure to fluid or mist, carry out appropriate health surveillance.