Published on: 22 June 2023
HSE inspectors across Great Britain are visiting businesses within woodworking industries, focusing on the dangers of respiratory risks from wood dust.
HSE is currently inspecting woodworking businesses to ensure dutyholders know the established health risks associated with woodworking, including wood dust, and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.
In 2022/23, HSE carried out more than 1,000 woodworking inspections and found 78 percent of businesses were not compliant in protecting workers from respiratory sensitisers (primarily dust from hardwoods, softwoods and composite materials such as MDF).
This resulted in 402 enforcement actions taken by HSE. Key areas of concern included:
- Housekeeping (including dry sweeping of wood dust)
- Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) maintenance and thorough examination
- Selection of and face fit testing for Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
- Health Surveillance for exposure to wood dust
To ensure your woodworking business is managing the risks and is prepared for an inspection, the HSE has free resources and guidance to prevent exposure to dust and protect your workers’ respiratory health:
- Visit the HSEDust Kills woodworking campaign website
- Download the free guidance for woodworking (.pdf)
Get further information about the campaign by viewing the press release.
