Carcinogens and Workplace Exposure Limits

Following changes to the UK’s classification of carcinogens and workplace exposure limits the occupational health specialists at WTS have prepared this technical guidance note to help employers understand some of the significant changes that may affect them and their workers.

Carcinogens and workplace exposure limits

The most recent Health and Safety Executive publication on workplace exposure limits, EH40/2005 was released in January 2020.

This detailed publication lists over 500 commonly found substances which are hazardous under the COSHH regulations, and gives their legal exposure limits.

One of the most significant changes in the HSE’s 2020 update to EH40/2005 was that workplace exposure limits (WELs) have been reduced for 11 occupational carcinogens which were previously identified, and two new substances have now been reclassified as carcinogens too.

Learn more about EH40/2005

What is a carcinogen?

A carcinogen is any substance which, when people are exposed to it can cause cancer at some point in the future.

The time lag between exposure to the carcinogenic substance and the individual developing cancer can be substantial, and is often more than ten years.

Substances defined as carcinogens come in all shapes, sizes and forms. They can be dusts, gases, vapours, solids or liquids.

Carcinogens can get into the body when people swallow them, breathe them in or absorb them through the skin.

Learn more about carcinogens

Workplace exposure and carcinogens

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sets strict legal limits which are designed to protect the health of all workers.

WELs are measured over a period of time, and are a defined as a concentration of particles in the air.

If work involves exposure to substances identified as carcinogens, then employers have a legal duty to take steps to keep exposure to a minimum, regardless of what the WEL figure is.

For example, if measuring finds that the levels of hardwood dust in a particular environment was 1 mg per cubic metre of air, then steps should still be taken to reduce the levels, even though the legal maximum is 3mg per cubic metre of air.

EH40/2005 – updated workplace exposure limits

The 2020 update reduced the legal maximum concentrations of the following carcinogens.

If any of these substances are present, then organisations will need to review their current COSHH risk assessments and consider how to make any further improvements.

Hardwood Dust
Hardwoods are used, cut and processed in a wide range of businesses such as construction, boat building, furniture or flooring manufacture.

Chromium (VI)
Chromium (VI) compounds which are used in the steel and paint industries, and in chemical processing industries.
Refractory ceramic fibres
Refractory ceramic fibres found in insulation materials, or used in ceramics and petrochemical industries.
Vinyl Chloride Monomer
Vinyl chloride monomer is one of the main ingredients in making PVC, a plastic with a myriad of uses.
Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide is a chemical used in the production of antifreeze or polyester fabrics. It is also used in hospitals for sterilisation, and sometimes as a fertiliser.
Propylene oxide
Propylene oxide is used to make polyurethane foam for furniture and insulation.

Acrylamide
Acrylamide is particular to the food industry, and forms when starchy foods like potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
2-Nitropropane
2-Nitropropane is used as a solvent for making paint, coatings, varnishes, adhesives and other products.

O-Toluidine
O-Toluidine is used for making chemicals, rubber and pesticides.
1,3-Butadiene
1,3-Butadiene is used to make synthetic plastics, rubbers and resin.

Hydrazine
Hydrazine is used for making air bags, pesticides, and polymer foams.

Two new carcinogens added to EH40/2005

In addition to the above 11 chemicals which have had their exposure limits lowered, two new substances have been added to the HSE list of carcinogens. These are:

Respirable crystalline silica
Respirable crystalline silica is found in most rocks and also in building products such as concrete and bricks. The risk of exposure is most common in the construction industry and also in some manufacturing situations.

Bromoethylene
Bromoethylene is used to make flame-retardant fibres used to make both furniture and clothing.

Reviewing your risk assessments and workplace exposure monitoring

The re-classification of these substances and the reduction in exposure limits means that many companies will have to look at their monitoring and risk assessments to make sure that they are complying with the legal obligations as set out in the COSHH rules.

There is lots of advice online about control of hazardous substances, both from the Health and Safety Executive and from other independent sources.

Many companies choose to outsource this to the experts, and there are lots of consultants and external providers who will help you in managing the risks.

Specialist workplace risk management solutions

WTS offer a comprehensive range of workplace monitoring and risk management solutions to support employers, health and safety professionals, and facilities management specialists.

Our experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the identification, investigation and prevention of a range of workplace risks.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers and technicians we offer cost effective workplace support solutions across the whole of the UK and Ireland.

Contact us today to learn how our workplace monitoring and risk management solutions can help improve safety and performance standards.