Both hardwood and softwood dusts have a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 5mg/m3, which must not be exceeded. These are limits placed on the amount of dust in the air averaged over an eight-hour working day. However, manufacturers must reduced exposure to wood dust to as low as is “reasonably practicable”.
The HSE publishes guidance on dust extraction and maintaining a dust-free working environment on its website.
