HSE inspections to focus on exposure to flour dust in bakeries

From January 2026, the HSE will be carrying out inspections at large bakeries across Great Britain to ensure that employers are properly protection employees from the dangers of dusty ingredients. This is following the HSE’s increased focus on occupational health in recent years.

Exposure to dusty ingredients can lead to occupational asthma, with dust from flour being one of the most common causes of this serious a potentially life-changing condition. Exposure to other dusty ingredients can also cause respiratory issues.

In bakeries in particular, dust can linger in the atmosphere causing many common tasks to become high-risk. Inspectors will, therefore, assess compliance with COSHH regulations, and focus on risk management. Inspectors will also check that employers have health surveillance in place for workers exposed to dusty ingredients.

It is important that bakeries, and other businesses, ensure that all dust related activities are COSHH assessed and that sufficient measures are in place to prevent exposure.