The workplace exposure limit for MWF mist is still 1 mg/m³. That has not moved. What has moved is what an HSE inspector will now expect to see on the wall next to the machine.
What's different in 2026
- LEV thorough examination reports every 14 months, not “annually”. Inspectors are pulling dates now and calculating gaps.
- Face-fit test records for anyone still relying on RPE, refreshed every two years or after any facial change (weight, dental work, beard).
- Written scheme of examination for the fluid itself, not just the extractor. That is new for a lot of shops.
Practical fixes
If you inherit a cell with no paperwork, the fastest way to a compliant position is:
- Book an LEV test through a P601-competent tester. Two-week lead time is typical.
- Move the LEV logbook out of the office drawer and onto the machine. Inspectors want it at the point of use.
- Sign off a fluid-management written scheme. A one-pager is fine as long as it names who is doing what, and how often.
The audits we have supported in the last twelve months have all gone well when the paperwork was on the wall, and badly when it was in a file the operator could not find. That is worth more than any spec sheet.