As professionals within the woodworking and joinery sector, we know that wood dust is hazardous to health and can have serious consequences. In fact, it is known to cause diseases such as asthma, with carpenters and joiners four times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared with other UK workers (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/ index.htm). For this reason, exposure to wood dust falls under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2022 (COSHH).

Here I explore best practice for controlling and minimising dust exposure in the workplace to help keep all employees safe.

REDUCING EXPOSURE IN THE WORKPLACE

By following the eight principles of good practice control as set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), adequate control of wood dust can be achieved and exposure levels can be dramatically reduced.

The good news is that things can be kept simple. Measures to control dust exposure are the same regardless of the type of wood being machined, even though the health effects from exposure, and the specific Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), vary depending on whether the dust is from hardwood, softwood or composite wood such as chipboard and fibre board.

The main control measure to ensure that wood dust is managed at its source on machinery is local exhaust ventilation (LEV). It’s vital the LEV is sufficient for the machinery and operations being conducted, that it is well-maintained, and tested by a competent LEV engineer at least every 14 months to ensure its performance.

However, for certain machines such as bandsaws, circular saws and fixed sanding machines, LEV alone does not provide adequate dust control. This is where respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is also needed.

To provide protection, the RPE should have a minimum assigned protection factor (APF) of 20, and the RPE should be correctly fitted, with each user receiving appropriate training and undergoing face fit testing.

In the majority of situations RPE is needed in addition to, not in place of, LEV. However, employers should risk assess the machinery and operation to determine the protection required, as there may be circumstances where it’s not necessary to have both. This could be the case if only a single piece of timber is to be cut on a cross-cut saw, as it might be impractical to wear RPE for a single, infrequent operation. Other operations that require the use of RPE with a minimum APF of 20 include manual sanding, use of portable power tools or changing dust extraction bags.

For clearing surfaces of wood dust and debris a dust class M or H type portable dust extractor or suction hose attached to the LEV should be used. Dry sweeping and compressed air should not be used for the collection or clearing of wood dust. In instances where there are larger offcuts and chips, these should be shovelled or vacuumed using attachments with pre-filters or mesh to prevent blockages.

PROTECTION FROM PORTABLE TOOLS

When working onsite or using portable tools in the workshop, using the correct classification of dust extraction system is crucial to minimising dust exposure.

All power tool extraction systems will be classified as either low (L), medium (M) or high (H). The HSE states that for construction applications H or M class units are suitable when fitted with a low-flow indicator (https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis69.htm). L class units and commercial vacuums do not offer the correct filtration or incorporate a low-flow indicator, making them unsuitable for wood dust.

Often, power tool manufacturers offer a range of portable extraction systems that are designed to plug directly into their corded tools. This means that when the power tool is turned on, so is the extractor.

However, this is not the case for all power tools, particularly cordless versions. This is because they do not need to be plugged in or switched on. The use of Bluetooth-enabled extractors can make this easier, particularly when working on larger sites, with a button attached to the hose or cuff where it attaches to the tool that can turn the extractor on without having to go back to the machine.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

In addition to thorough health and safety measures, it’s important for businesses to identify any potential health effects on employees as early as possible. This can be done by having a suitable health surveillance programme in place that covers all workers who might breathe in wood dust. To support with this, businesses should seek advice from an occupational health professional who has the relevant skills, competence and experience for health risks in woodworking.

Managing dust exposure correctly to ensure it is minimised helps maintain the health and well-being of all those in the woodworking and joinery profession. By adopting the guidance as set out by the HSE and seeking advice from trusted trade associations, you can be confident that your business is putting its employees’ health first.

For more helpful resources from the British Woodworking Federation on health and safety in the workplace, visit: https://www.bwf.org. uk/health-and-safety-in-the-woodworkingindustry/