Health Risk which could be associated with the wood dust
Wood dust is a ‘substance hazardous to health’ because it can cause serious non-reversible health problems, such as skin disorders; obstruction in the nose, and rhinitis; occupational asthma (mainly when cedar wood is used) and a rare type of nasal cancer.
Operations that produce high levels of Wood Dust Exposure
Set Exposure Limits
These are limits placed on the amount of dust in the air, averaged over an eight-hour working day. Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 5mg/m3 is set by HSE(UK), which must not be exceeded. However, exposure must reduced to as low as ‘reasonably practicable’.
Dust Extraction
Provide dust extraction (also known as local exhaust ventilation or LEV) at woodworking machines to capture and remove dust before it can spread. Extraction system must to take into account the number and type of machines to be connected to it, and the layout of the workshop or factory. Fitting air flow indicators will help to know and maintain required air flow and extraction vacuum.
Education and awareness
Workers need to be educated about the risks from wood dust and the control measures required. They must be aware of the extraction system’s functioning and ways to improve efficiency of LEV system; never to sweep up or use compressed air lines as this will disturb the dust and allow it to become inhaled; clean up using a suitable industrial vacuum cleaner.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (REP)
Mask with appropriate cartridge for activities such as sanding may be needed and correct fitment is to be ensured.
Health Surveillance
As workers are at risk of acquiring asthma – a chronic case, health surveillance would be required to identify early symptoms. A low level health surveillance involving workers to complete questionnaire will be sufficient. Where high risk is involved (using red cedar wood), a higher level of health surveillance, including lung function testing, is needed.
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Wood dust is a ‘substance hazardous to health’ because it can cause serious non-reversible health problems, such as skin disorders; obstruction in the nose, and rhinitis; occupational asthma (mainly when cedar wood is used) and a rare type of nasal cancer.
Operations that produce high levels of Wood Dust Exposure
- Machining operations, particularly sawing, routing and turning;
- Sanding, by machine and by hand;
- Hand assembly of machined or sanded components;
- The bagging of dust from dust extraction systems;
- Using compressed airlines to blow dust off furniture and other articles probably for housekeeping or for preparing the furniture for coating varnishes and paints;
Set Exposure Limits
These are limits placed on the amount of dust in the air, averaged over an eight-hour working day. Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 5mg/m3 is set by HSE(UK), which must not be exceeded. However, exposure must reduced to as low as ‘reasonably practicable’.
Dust Extraction
Provide dust extraction (also known as local exhaust ventilation or LEV) at woodworking machines to capture and remove dust before it can spread. Extraction system must to take into account the number and type of machines to be connected to it, and the layout of the workshop or factory. Fitting air flow indicators will help to know and maintain required air flow and extraction vacuum.
Education and awareness
Workers need to be educated about the risks from wood dust and the control measures required. They must be aware of the extraction system’s functioning and ways to improve efficiency of LEV system; never to sweep up or use compressed air lines as this will disturb the dust and allow it to become inhaled; clean up using a suitable industrial vacuum cleaner.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (REP)
Mask with appropriate cartridge for activities such as sanding may be needed and correct fitment is to be ensured.
Health Surveillance
As workers are at risk of acquiring asthma – a chronic case, health surveillance would be required to identify early symptoms. A low level health surveillance involving workers to complete questionnaire will be sufficient. Where high risk is involved (using red cedar wood), a higher level of health surveillance, including lung function testing, is needed.
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