Supporting SMEs in their Wood Dust Exposure Risks

In early 2022 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) completed a project to update the evidence base on wood dust exposure risks in British manufacturing industries. In so doing, HSE gained a better understanding of how it could support small and medium-sized woodworking enterprises in controlling exposure to wood dust.

Updating the Evidence Base and supporting SMEs in their Wood Dust Exposure Risks (hsl.gov.uk)

There is a legal duty on employers to ensure that workplace exposures do not exceed a given workplace exposure limit (WEL), to follow good control practices and, for carcinogens and asthmagens, to reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable (ALARP). Exposure to any wood dust can cause asthma and dermatitis, whilst exposure to hardwood dust can also cause sino-nasal cancer.