HSE inspectors are visiting businesses across Great Britain in woodworking industries, focusing on the dangers of respiratory risks from wood dust.The inspections are to ensure dutyholders know the established health risks associated with woodworking and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.
Wood dust can cause serious and often irreversible health problems, including sino-nasal cancer, asthma, as well as dermatitis. As wood dust is hazardous to health, employers have a legal responsibility to prevent or adequately control exposure in the workplace.
To protect workers, throughout 2023/24 HSE is inspecting a variety of woodworking businesses, as part of its strategy to reduce cases of work related ill health, and to combat the devastating impact occupational lung disease has on workers’ lives. Inspectors will check that woodwork is planned correctly to minimise risk; and that adequate control measures are in place to protect workers’ health.
In 2022/23, HSE carried out more than 1,000 woodworking inspections and found 78% of businesses were not compliant in protecting workers from respiratory sensitisers (primarily hardwood, softwood and composite material’s dust). This resulted in 402 enforcement actions taken by HSE.
Find out more at: Wood dust – Work Right to keep Britain safe
