Wood Dust (Woodworker)

Hardwood, softwood and wood composite dusts arise in wood machining and sanding. They are a common cause of occupational asthma.

Asthma affects workers in the furniture and joinery industries.

Top tips

• Use dust extraction. For dusty jobs, you also need respiratory protective equipment.
• Never sweep up or use compressed air. Clean up using wet methods or an industrial vacuum cleaner.
• Check that all extraction systems work properly once a week
• You need regular health surveillance

Reduce disease - reduce exposure to wood dusts

The dustiest tasks are sanding, assembly and cleaning, and these usually require a respirator in addition to dust extraction.

Settled dust is easily raised, and is also a dust explosion hazard, so cleaning is important.

Summary - Case Study taken by HSE

A joiner worked for a hospital with symptoms for a year before he was diagnosed with occupational asthma.

Dust extraction on woodworking machinery didn’t work. The employer had provided controls, but not maintained them.

This led to loss of earnings, loss of lifestyle and a permanent debilitating illness.

HSE investigation

To get his employer to take his health problems seriously, the joiner had to involve his trade union safety representative.

HSE's investigations led to upgrading of the dust extraction equipment, which may have prevented others from being affected.

Effects

While it was wood dust that caused his occupational asthma, his lungs were damaged and other 'triggers' now cause an attack - such as exercise and cold air. His lifestyle has completely changed.

He used to enjoy playing football and playing with his children. He now finds that running and lifting his daughter bring on wheezing. Everyday activities are increasingly difficult.