Health and Safety in the Printing Industry

Exposure to inks, lacquers, adhesives, cleaning solvents and other process chemicals used in printing can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation (including dermatitis), eye discomfort and other serious health problems if not controlled. HSE guidance for printers highlights that harmful exposure can happen through breathing in vapours and mists or through skin contact, so safe storage, handling and cleaning routines are essential.

Effective spill management is a practical part of health and safety: it reduces the risk of accidental exposure, limits slip hazards, protects drains and helps you maintain a clean, compliant working environment. (If you came here from another page, this is the Health and Safety page referenced in that guidance.)

Typical health and safety risks in printing

Printing environments commonly involve liquids that can spread quickly across smooth floors and work areas, especially during decanting, press cleaning, wash-up, ink mixing, maintenance and waste handling. Common risk areas include:

Solvent vapours and mists from cleaning agents, thinners and press wash chemicals, particularly in poorly ventilated areas.
Skin contact with inks, coatings, adhesives and cleaning fluids which can cause irritation or longer-term skin problems.
Slip hazards from small leaks and drips around presses, mixing stations, drums, IBCs and waste collection points.
Incompatible chemical reactions if different substances mix during a spill or in waste containers.
Drain contamination when spills reach gullies, interceptors or surface water routes.

HSE’s printer-specific COSHH guidance is a useful starting point for understanding these exposure routes and the controls expected in typical printing processes.

Key controls (good practice)

A strong safety approach combines COSHH assessment with practical day-to-day controls. Typical measures include:

COSHH assessments for inks, lacquers, adhesives, cleaning solvents and maintenance chemicals, with clear working instructions.
Ventilation and extraction where vapours/mists may be generated (for example during press cleaning and use of solvent-borne products).
Safe decanting and storage using suitable containers, clear labelling, and bunded areas where appropriate.
Skin protection through correct glove selection, good hand hygiene and appropriate barrier/conditioning creams.
Housekeeping and leak prevention to keep walkways dry and reduce background contamination.
Emergency readiness with spill response equipment positioned where incidents are most likely to occur.

Spill management: a simple response sequence

When a spill occurs, your response should prioritise people first, then containment and clean-up. A clear, repeatable sequence helps reduce panic and prevents unsafe improvisation:

Raise the alarm and control access (keep untrained staff away; isolate the area).
Identify the substance (check labels and SDS where available; consider incompatibilities).
Use appropriate PPE based on the product hazards and the task.
Stop the source if safe (upright containers, isolate valves, shut down pumps).
Contain the spread (protect drains and prevent tracking through the workplace).
Absorb/collect and dispose as controlled waste where required, following your site procedures.
Record the incident and improve (root cause, prevention steps, restock used materials).

Selecting the right spill response products

Using the correct absorbents and kit type matters for both safety and efficiency. In printing, you may need different solutions for different areas:

Chemical splashes and aggressive liquids: use chemical-rated absorbents and purpose-built kits designed for hazardous liquids.
Oils, fuels and hydrocarbons (for example maintenance oils): use oil and fuel absorbents designed to pick up hydrocarbons efficiently.
Drips and minor leaks around machinery: use drip trays and localised control to prevent slip risks and ongoing contamination.
Drain risk areas (near gullies and external doors): keep drain protection products accessible so containment is immediate.

Internal quick links you may find useful:

Training, documentation and ongoing compliance

Even the best equipment is less effective without clear procedures and training. Make sure staff know what to do, where spill materials are kept, and how to identify hazards quickly. Keep documentation up to date, including COSHH assessments, SDS access, waste handling procedures and incident reporting.

External guidance (HSE)

For authoritative, printer-specific guidance, these HSE resources are a strong reference point:

If you would like help selecting spill response products for a specific printing process (for example solvent wash, UV-curable inks, adhesives, or press-room maintenance), you can use the internal links above to match kit type to the substances and risk areas on site.