Used Engine Oil & Lubricants COSHH assessment
Used engine oil and lubricants are a common skin hazard for plant fitters and maintenance workers. Prolonged skin contact is linked to dermatitis and, over many years, skin cancer.
The hazards
- Prolonged skin contact causes dermatitis
- Long-term contact is linked to skin cancer
- Used oil contains harmful combustion by-products
- Oil mist can be inhaled during some operations
Who is at risk
Exposure routes
- Skin contact
- Inhalation of oil mist
- Eye contact
Health effects
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Skin cancer with long-term contact
- Respiratory irritation from mist
Control measures (hierarchy of control)
Controls should be applied in order — eliminate or substitute first, then engineering controls, then PPE as the last line.
- Avoid skin contact - use tools and no-touch methods, not bare hands
- Never keep oily rags in pockets or wipe hands on overalls
- Provide washing facilities, skin cream and clean overalls
- Ventilation or LEV where oil mist is generated
- Store and dispose of used oil as hazardous waste
PPE & RPE
- Oil-resistant gloves (nitrile)
- Overalls kept clean
- Eye protection where splashing is likely
First aid
- Skin: wash promptly with soap and water; do not use solvents or abrasives on skin
- Eyes: irrigate with clean water
- Get medical advice for persistent dermatitis
Workplace exposure limit (WEL)
Relevant legislation & guidance
Used Engine Oil & Lubricants COSHH FAQs
Long-term, repeated skin contact with used engine oil is linked to skin cancer, as well as the more common dermatitis. That is why the assessment focuses on preventing skin contact and good hygiene.
Skin contact. The classic causes are handling oil with bare hands, oily rags in pockets and dirty overalls. Gloves, washing facilities, clean overalls and no-touch methods control it.
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