9th October 2025

HSE Launches Targeted Inspection Campaign Of Motor Vehicle Repair Businesses

What’s Happening?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently started a targeted inspection campaign of 1,000 motor vehicle repair businesses across Great Britain.

The focus is understood to be related to the management of isocyanate-containing paints and coatings (commonly called 2K or two-pack paints) — the leading cause of occupational asthma in the UK. Many paint sprayers develop life-changing asthma and are forced to leave the trade, so HSE is taking this issue seriously.

Key Requirements

Isocyanate exposure when spraying can cause occupational asthma, and once it develops, future exposures may trigger severe attacks.

HSE Inspectors will therefore be making checks for compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations to ensure that employers are preventing or adequately controlling employee exposure to isocyanates.

Inspectors will want to see that employers have put effective control measures and safe working procedures in place, which would include providing regular health surveillance and biological monitoring (both of which are legally required where workers are exposed to isocyanates).

Where inspectors identify shortcomings, they may issue improvement/prohibition notices to those businesses found to be breaking the law.

What HSE inspectors will look for

• Evidence of adequate control measures (spray booths, extraction, safe work procedures), their maintenance and routine examinations.
• Use of appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE). HSE expects airfed breathing apparatus for spray operations; filtering respirators are not sufficient for paint mist/vapour.
• Health surveillance and biological monitoring (urine testing) to confirm exposure is controlled. HSE emphasises urine testing as a simple way to give confidence that controls are working.
• Clear clearance procedures and signage for spray areas.

What you should do now

• Review your spray processes and control measures against COSHH requirements.
• Check spray booths and extraction systems are working, maintained and creating negative pressure.
• Confirm RPE is appropriate, well-maintained and that staff are trained in its use.
• Put in place or review health surveillance and biological monitoring (arrange urine testing for exposed staff).
• Display clearance times and ensure supervisors enforce them.
• Keep records of maintenance, training, surveillance and monitoring — inspectors will ask for evidence.

Need help?

If you need help, then we would be happy to audit your spray operations and check your COSHH compliance. We can also assist with setting up health surveillance programmes. Contact us at info@lighthouseriskservices.co.uk or call our health and safety advice line on 0300 3035228.