Wood Dust

Control Measures

Occupational exposure to wood dust can occur in many industries including construction, furniture and joinery industries.

Certain activities such as sanding, cutting/sawing, handling, machining and turning can all create fine wood dust.

Exposure to airborne dust may be adequately controlled by:

Using a process or method of work that reduces the generation of dust to a minimum.
Providing engineering controls e.g. local exhaust ventilation (LEV) at woodworking machines to prevent dust becoming airborne.
Using vacuum cleaning equipment that meets at least the dust class M (medium hazard) classification.
maintaining plant and equipment, including extraction systems, to ensure they remain efficient and in good working order.

A video entitled Wood dust exposure demonstrates clearly the high exposures that a worker can be exposed to when blowing down compared to using an industrial vacuum cleaner.

Where LEV is used, employers should ensure that employees are trained on how to operate the equipment and that it has been suitably maintained and thoroughly examined so as to ensure it is performing as intended. Further information on LEV systems is available within HSE guidance entitled Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV) HSG258.

A short video entitled Control of wood dust at circular saws demonstrates how to fit effective extraction to a circular saw. This video also demonstrates how to use a dust lamp to show whether wood dust exposure is being controlled. This technique can be used to visually assess how wood dust is controlled at other woodworking machines.

In some cases respiratory protective equipment (RPE) may be also required as a temporary measure or for short term jobs involving cleaning and maintenance that may produce higher levels of dust.

Where a respirator is needed:

RPE with a UK Standard Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of at least 20 will normally be required e.g. FFP3
Workers must have had a face-fit test to ensure tight-fitting respirators fit properly and be clean shaven for this type of respirator to work effectively.
Workers should be trained to use, check and clean the respirator.
The filters or disposable respirators should be changed regularly.
The equipment should be stored in a clean, dust-free place such as a container.
If any defects are found, or the respirator does not fit, is dirty or its filter is old, it should be replaced.
If RPE is needed for extended periods, e.g. longer than 1 hour, a powered respirator should be used.

Further information on selecting suitable RPE for both hard and softwood dust can be found within WIS14 Wood dust. Selecting suitable respiratory protective equipment.

Detailed COSHH essentials guidance for woodworkers on controlling the risks associated with specific woodworking machinery is available at the following links:

Further information on controlling the health risks from wood dust can be found within WIS23 Wood dust. Controlling the risks.

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