HSE targets wood dust

5 April 2022

The beginning of April saw the start of a Health and Safety Executive initiative in which inspectors across Great Britain are visiting businesses operating in woodworking industries including manufacturing, carpentry and other workplaces where wood dust exposure can occur.

The HSE says that woodworking industries have the potential for high incidence rates of occupational asthma caused by exposure to inadequately controlled wood dust.

Ventilation, protective equipment and appropriate guarding are some of the measures businesses should consider.

Inspectors will look for evidence that employers have considered the control measures required to reduce workers’ exposure to wood dust, that workers understand the risks, and that effective control measures have been put in place.

HSE’s head of manufacturing, David Butter said: “Around 12,000 workers died last year from lung diseases linked to past exposure from work, with thousands more cases of ill-health and working days lost. 

“Wood dust can cause serious health problems. It can cause asthma, which carpenters and joiners are four times more likely to get compared with other UK workers, as well as nasal cancer. Our campaign aims to help businesses whose workers cut and shape wood to take action now to protect their workers’ respiratory health.”

The latest advice and guidance is available on the HSE website. 

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