| HSE inspectors are currently visiting fabricated metal businesses across Great Britain to ensure dutyholders know the risks associated with welding fumes and metalworking fluids and have controls in place to protect worker's respiratory health. Thousands of people die from work-related lung diseases every year. Inhalation of fume from welding can cause cancer and inhalation of mist from metalworking fluids can result in occupational asthma. Today (4 May 2021) is World Asthma Day. Through our fabricated metal inspections we are highlighting the risks of occupational asthma and the devastating impact lung disease has on workers' lives. Inspectors will be visiting businesses to check that welding work and use of metalworking fluids are planned correctly to minimise risk; and that adequate control measures are in place to protect workers' health. Further information can be found on our press release. To ensure your metal fabrication business is managing the risks and is prepared for an inspection, we have detailed below where our guidance is available. These pages provide tools to help businesses ensure they WorkRight and have the necessary measures in place to protect workers' health. Further information is available on our website, including HSE guidance and resources to help manage the risks from welding fumes. HSE guidance and resources to help manage the risks from metalworking fluids can be found here. HSE inspectors recently presented at the Safety & Health Engineering Partnership (SHEP) Welding Fume and Metalworking Fluid Webinar. A free recording of the webinar is available to view here. Follow HSE's social media channels - Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn - for updates and additional resources that will be made available including our top tips to ensure your business is prepared for an inspection. Some types of work can cause life threatening lung diseases if exposure to the risks are not managed and controlled. Breathing in certain dusts, gases, fumes and vapours in the workplace can cause serious, long-term lung damage. Our website has details of high risk work and how to prevent work related lung diseases. Diseases like, asbestosis, silicosis, asthma, and lung cancer, all cause severe, often incurable, health problems that can have a devastating impact on workers' lives. HSE has more information about occupational lung diseases and the symptoms associated with lung disease. If you're an employer, you are required by law to control the risks to your workers from exposure to hazardous substances. Visit our website for further advice and help to prevent work-related lung disease. | 
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