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Improving workshop safety
26 May 2026
Workshops – whether used for engineering, maintenance, fabrication or electronics – present a range of hazards that require systematic control. Effective workshop safety is built on identifying risks, implementing appropriate controls and maintaining safe systems of work.
Safety Services has published a page dedicated to Workshop Safety. Regardless of the type of workshop, there will be a range of hazards present that need to be controlled.
Controlling workshop hazards is done through a combination of risk assessment, key safety rules, maintaining safe and healthy workshops, and carrying out checks (inspections) that workshop standards and rules are being followed.
If you use or manage a workshop within your department, the workshop safety page is a must-read.
Guarding of machinery
Where machinery has dangerous or moving parts, guarding needs to be in place to prevent access and injury. Retrofitting guarding to older machinery is required to keep our people safe.
The guarding section of the Workshop Safety page has guidance on choosing the right type of guarding.
Respiratory hazards – rosin-based solder flux fumes
When heated during the soldering process, rosin-based solder releases airborne contaminants that can cause occupational asthma, respiratory irritation, and skin irritation.
Occupational asthma is of particular concern because it is an irreversible condition. Exposure to respiratory sensitisers (such as rosin-based solder flux fume) can lead to a hypersensitive state in the airway, and re-exposure can trigger an asthma attack.
Action to be taken
Workshop safety
- If you manage a workshop, review your workshop safety documentation to ensure that it aligns with the UCL Workshop Safety pages.
Guarding of machinery
- Review the equipment in your workshops to ensure that guarding is in place. Where guarding is missing, remove the equipment from use until there is appropriate guarding in place.
- Ensure that checks on equipment condition, including guarding, are included in your periodic inspections.
Rosin based solder
- Review the soldering materials in your workshop and remove rosin-based solders from use.
- Whether or not you use rosin-based solder, review your risk assessments to ensure the risks are controlled through a combination of control measures. Exposure needs to be kept as low as is reasonably practicable (ALARP).
- Where LEV is used to control respiratory hazards, ensure that it is fit-for-purpose, maintained, and inspected at intervals not exceeding 14 months.
- Ensure that people at risk of exposure to respiratory hazards undergo health surveillance with Workplace Health.
- Be aware of the symptoms of occupational asthma and seek early advice from Workplace Health if you or staff under your supervision show symptoms.
View the updated Workshop Safety guidance and apply the key actions in your workshop
Further information
- Introduction to machinery safety – Overview of common machinery hazards, risk assessment, and safeguarding principles | hse.gov.uk
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) overview – Explains legal duties for ensuring work equipment is safe, maintained, and properly guarded | hse.gov.uk
- Health and safety in engineering workshops (HSG129) – Comprehensive guidance covering workshop risks, including machining, welding, and general safety management | hse.gov.uk
- Solder fumes (rosin-based flux) – Explains health risks, including occupational asthma, and key control measures such as fume extraction | hse.gov.uk
- Solder fume and you (INDG248) – Practical advice for workers on controlling exposure to solder fumes and recognising symptoms | hse.gov.uk
- Controlling health risks from rosin-based solder fluxes (INDG249) – Detailed technical guidance aimed at managers and duty holders | hse.gov.uk
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