HSE Motor Vehicle Repair (MVR): Health & Safety Guidance for employers

If your business operates in the motor vehicle repair industry then you should be aware of the HSE guidance covering motor vehicle repair premises, and the Health and Safety precautions you should be taking; especially when it comes to occupational health and the link between Isocyanates and occupational asthma.

For expert advice on occupational health talk to a Croner Health and Safety expert on 01455 858 132.

• What do MVR employer's need to be compliant with under COSHH?
• Additional Health and Safety protocols for Motor Vehicle Repair businesses
• Get advice on your responsibilities under COSHH in the motor vehicle repair trade

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a nationwide campaign last year targeting over 1,000 businesses to ensure that they were compliant with COSHH regulations. With inspections of repair premises being so scrutinised by enforcing bodies employers must ensure that they are taking all the necessary steps to protect the health and wellbeing of automotive workers.

Isocyanates are commonly found two-pack (2k) paints and lacquers, meaning that employees using paint sprayers are particularly at risk of exposure. With Isocyanates being the largest cause of occupational asthma in the UK and once a worker develops symptoms, the risk of severe attacks and respiratory illness is multiplied exponentially, even with minimal exposure.

In the most severe cases this can lead to workers being forced to leave the industry permanently.

What do MVR employer's need to be compliant with under COSHH?

Under the legislation employers need to ensure they are undertaking the following:

• Conducting a thorough risk assessment.
• The implementation of effective control measures.
• Ensuring the provision and use of proper respiratory protective equipment.
• The maintenance of safe spray booth ventilation.
• Conducting regular health surveillance and biological monitoring.

Additional Health and Safety protocols for Motor Vehicle Repair businesses

In addition to respiratory protections, employers operating in the motor vehicle repair industry need to take all necessary precautions to ensure skin health amongst employees, as paint sprayers in the automotive trade are among those workers most at risk of developing dermatitis.

This is due to a combination of the abrasiveness and drying effect of dust particles (a bi-product of hand sanding) and exposure to skin sensitisers like those found in 2-part adhesives, as well as body and foam fillers.

Get advice on your responsibilities under COSHH in the motor vehicle repair trade

Croner have been advising businesses like yours with everything from HR to Health and Safety for over 80 years.

Our expert team is on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assist you with any urgent Health and Safety queries you may have, so whether it's general advice on policy or you're concerned about compliance issues in the event of an inspection by an enforcement body, you're in safe hands.

Talk to a member of our Health and Safety advisory team today. Call 01455 858 132.