Weekly Legislation & Compliance Update: Why the HSE is Looking Closely at Your Lungs

Morning everyone, it’s Mark here from the desk in Boroughbridge. I’ve just finished a brew and spent the last hour going through the latest HSE enforcement logs. It’s not exactly light reading, but there’s a case from last Tuesday, July 28th, that I really need to highlight because it’s a mistake I see being made far too often when I’m out visiting sites across Yorkshire and the North.

A mid-sized manufacturing firm was fined just over £40,000 plus costs after an inspector found their wood dust extraction systems—what we call Local Exhaust Ventilation or LEV—hadn't been properly tested in nearly three years. The kicker? They had the equipment, they just hadn't maintained it. One worker has now been diagnosed with occupational asthma, a condition that’s life-changing and entirely preventable. This wasn't a case of a 'cowboy' outfit; it was a busy business that let their maintenance schedule slip because they were focused on getting orders out the door.

The Reality of COSHH in 2026

We’re currently seeing a massive push from the HSE regarding respiratory health. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers have a non-negotiable legal duty to prevent or adequately control exposure to substances that cause ill health. Wood dust, silica, and even certain cleaning chemicals fall squarely under this. If you’ve got extraction systems in place, the law says they must be thoroughly examined and tested by a competent person at least every 14 months.

I’ve spoken to a lot of business owners in Harrogate and York lately who think that because the 'machine sounds like it's sucking,' it's doing its job. That’s a dangerous assumption. Filters clog, seals perish, and motors lose efficiency. Without a proper LEV test, you’re essentially flying blind, and as this recent prosecution shows, the HSE has zero patience for companies that treat these tests as 'optional extras'.

“Health and safety isn't about the fine you might pay; it's about the person who can't breathe properly at 50 because their employer saved a few quid on a filter change.”

What This Means for You This Week

If you’re running a workshop, a construction site, or even a commercial kitchen, you need to look at your risk assessments today. Don't wait for an inspector to knock on the door. The HSE has announced they will be conducting targeted inspections across North Yorkshire throughout the remainder of August, specifically looking at dust control in the manufacturing and stone-working sectors. They are looking for evidence of training, maintenance logs, and, most importantly, that workers actually know how to use the safety equipment provided.

Here are three things you can do before the week is out to ensure you’re on the right side of the law:

• Check your LEV test dates → Locate your last thorough examination and test report. If it’s dated more than 14 months ago, you are currently in breach of COSHH. Get a competent engineer booked in immediately.
• Observe your team → Walk the floor. Are the extraction hoods positioned correctly? Are workers wearing their RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) or is it hanging around their necks? If they aren't using the kit, find out why. Often, it’s because it’s uncomfortable or they haven't been shown how to fit it properly.
• Review your COSHH Register → Make sure every hazardous substance you use is accounted for and that your team actually understands the Safety Data Sheets. A folder gathering dust in the office doesn't count as 'communicating risk'.

How We Can Help

Since 2009, we’ve been helping businesses across the UK—from small family firms here in Boroughbridge to large industrial hubs in Leeds—stay on top of these moving goalposts. Staying compliant shouldn't be a headache, and it certainly shouldn't be something you only think about when an accident happens. At Livius Training, we provide accredited COSHH awareness and risk assessment training that cuts through the jargon and gives your supervisors the tools they actually need.

We don't do 'death by PowerPoint'. We do practical, human-led training because we care about the people behind the statistics. If you're worried your paperwork isn't up to scratch, or if you need to get your team up to speed on the latest HSE guidance, give us a shout. We’re always happy to have a chat over the phone or pop in for a visit to see how we can help you keep your team safe and your business protected.

Stay safe out there, and don't let the paperwork pile up. If you need a hand with a COSHH review or want to book a training session, just drop us a line or visit our course page. We’re here to help.