Forever Chemicals in the Workplace: What SMEs Need to Know About PFAS Risks

It’s easy to assume that chemical hazards are something only big industrial sites or manufacturers need to worry about. But in 2025, a new class of substances is drawing closer scrutiny – and they might be hiding in places many SMEs haven’t yet considered.

They’re called PFAS – short for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – and you’ve probably heard them referred to as forever chemicals. If you’re a UK employer, particularly in a small or medium-sized business, it’s time to understand what they are, where they might be lurking in your workplace, and what your responsibilities are under evolving regulations.

Because the truth is, PFAS aren’t just an environmental issue. They’re a health and safety concern, and they’re coming under the legal spotlight – fast.

A quiet presence, a growing problem

PFAS have been around since the 1940s, used in everything from non-stick coatings to waterproof fabrics, stain repellents, firefighting foams, and specialist industrial processes. They’re incredibly durable – which makes them useful, but also a problem.

They don’t break down easily. Instead, they build up over time – in water, in soil, and even in people. That’s why they’ve earned the nickname forever chemicals. And now, the scientific and legal consensus is clear: certain PFAS are harmful. Exposure has been linked to a range of health concerns including thyroid issues, reduced fertility, immune system impacts, and an increased risk of some cancers.

For employers, that raises serious questions. Could your workplace be exposing people to PFAS – directly or indirectly? And if so, what are you doing about it?

What the law says – and where it’s heading

In the UK, PFAS aren’t currently covered by a single, sweeping ban. But that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Under UK REACH, some PFAS (such as PFOA) are already restricted. Others are under review as substances of very high concern.

There’s also growing political and regulatory pressure for wider action. The European Chemicals Agency has proposed a near-total restriction across EU member states – and it’s likely that the UK will follow suit in some form. Meanwhile, environmental bodies, public health advocates and legal firms are already raising concerns about corporate responsibility, contamination, and potential future litigation.

Most importantly, under existing UK health and safety law – including COSHH (the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) – you already have a duty to assess and control harmful substances in the workplace. If PFAS are present, you need to be managing that risk.

Could PFAS be in your business?

You don’t need to be a chemical manufacturer to have PFAS on-site. In fact, they’re often hidden in products or processes you wouldn’t think twice about.

• Do you use specialist coatings, sealants, or waterproofing products?
• Are any of your suppliers sending materials treated for stain resistance or non-stick properties?
• Have you ever used firefighting foams – for training, equipment testing, or spill control?
• Do you use industrial cleaning agents, degreasers or protective sprays?
• Are you refurbishing or demolishing older buildings?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, PFAS could be in your supply chain, on your premises, or in your waste streams. Even if the quantities are small, your duty to assess exposure still applies.

And if you’re unsure? That’s where working with a competent health and safety partner really matters.

Managing the risk: a practical, sensible approach

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by chemical hazards – especially when they’re not clearly labelled. But managing PFAS risks doesn’t have to be complex.

At The Health & Safety Dept, we support businesses across England and Wales to get proactive about PFAS, with a straightforward process:

1. We start with awareness – helping you understand where PFAS may be hiding in your operations, and what questions to ask your suppliers.
2. We assess your exposure – reviewing how substances are used, stored, disposed of, and whether employees could be at risk through contact, inhalation, or waste handling.
3. We help you act – putting control measures in place, from product substitution to safer storage, better PPE, and disposal strategies.
4. We keep you informed – updating your risk assessments, COSHH records and staff training to ensure compliance today, and flexibility for tomorrow.

Because PFAS regulation is changing. And those changes could have real implications – especially if you’re caught off-guard.

Why this matters now

If PFAS aren’t currently regulated across the board, why take action?

Because smart businesses don’t wait for enforcement letters. They anticipate the risks. They take reasonable, proportionate steps. And they stay ahead of reputational, legal and ethical concerns – all of which are growing in this space.

Right now, many SMEs are still unaware that their workplace might contain PFAS. But that’s changing. And those who act early will be better protected – not just from compliance issues, but from employee health concerns, supplier scrutiny, and future litigation.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help.

Let’s tackle PFAS risk together

At The Health & Safety Dept, we make chemical safety practical for small and medium-sized employers. We know you’ve got enough to manage – so we keep things simple, solution-focused, and fully aligned with UK regulations.

If you suspect PFAS could be present in your workplace – or just want to make sure your risk assessments are up to date – we can help you take the right steps now, with confidence.

Call us on 0345 872 3639, or get in touch via our website.