HSE Launches 1,000-Plus Workplace Inspections Targeting Respiratory Risks
Published on 08/14/2026 at 01:07 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is stepping up enforcement of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, with more than 1,000 inspections planned for 2026/27. The campaign zeroes in on respiratory hazards, with particular attention to industries where workers face exposure to harmful dusts and sensitisers — a move that will put thousands of UK employers under fresh scrutiny.
Engineered Stone in the Spotlight
A key target for inspectors is the fabrication of engineered stone, which has emerged as a major concern for occupational lung disease. Following new COSHH guidance issued in May 2026, the HSE has highlighted the severe risks posed by respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Regulator research shows that dry fabrication methods expose workers to RCS levels five to ten times higher than those recorded with wet methods.
Enforcement is already underway. The HSE has issued stop-work orders to four companies handling engineered stone with inadequate controls. Industry advocates are now pushing for the adoption of worktops containing 0% crystalline silica, as occupational lung disease continues to cause thousands of preventable deaths each year.
Ventilation Checks and LEV Requirements
The inspection drive also places fresh emphasis on Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems. Under COSHH Regulation 9, employers must have LEV systems tested at least every 14 months — and every six months for higher-risk processes.
The stakes are significant. Industry data suggests poorly maintained LEV systems can lose between 30% and 40% of their efficiency within a single year. With typical testing costs ranging from £150 to £250 per system, the regulator is urging businesses to prioritise maintenance to avoid both health risks and potential legal penalties.
A Tougher Enforcement Climate
The surge in COSHH inspections comes amid a series of substantial fines for safety breaches in other sectors. In August 2026, Birmingham Magistrates' Court fined Reflex Flexible Packaging £60,000 plus costs after a worker's hand was crushed in a laminator in January 2025. The HSE said the incident was entirely preventable, citing a lack of fixed guarding.
Similarly, in July 2026, Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd was fined £100,000 at Norwich Magistrates' Court. The prosecution followed a 2024 incident where a worker suffered a broken finger and required surgery after their hand was caught in an unguarded conveyor.
While some reports suggest overall HSE enforcement notices have halved over the last four years, possibly due to shifting capacity, the targeted 1,000 inspections for 2026/27 signal a concentrated effort to tackle long-term health hazards in high-risk environments. For UK employers, the message is clear: respiratory protection and machinery guarding are firmly back on the regulatory agenda.
