Inspectors will focus on ensuring effective controls, procedures and health monitoring are in place. Many skilled vehicle paint sprayers develop this life-changing disease each year, forcing them to leave their profession permanently.

Employers must prevent or control worker exposure to isocyanates through effective control measures and arrange regular health surveillance and biological monitoring.

There are 3 critical control measures where motor vehicle repair businesses commonly fall down on compliance:

• proper spray booth ventilation with adequate extraction systems 
• correct respiratory protection equipment - workers must use air-fed breathing apparatus 
• safe clearance procedures with clearly displayed measurable clearance times 

Health checks are essential

Under COSHH regulations, employers must also arrange regular health surveillance and biological monitoring for workers exposed to isocyanates. Health surveillance involves regular health checks to detect early signs of occupational asthma, whilst biological monitoring - a simple urine test - checks that control measures are working effectively.

Biological monitoring is a quick and cost-effective way to give sprayers, employers and HSE confidence that spraying is being done safely. It can detect exposure even when control measures appear to be working properly.

New resources to help protect workers