Risk and Impacts of Wood Dust

Wood processing creates small particles of dust. These small dust particles will float around in the air after the tool work or hand sanding has finished. You can inhale these wood dust particles deep into your lungs.

How is wood dust harmful?

• Dust particles can scar your lungs.
• The scaring damages your lungs and makes it harder to breathe.
• You can get allergies, asthma, and cancer.

Swallowing Dust affects the intestines, bloodstream, and organs.
Eye Contact: dust can damage your eyes or cause irritation.
Skin Contact: some dusts can cause skin ulcers, dry, itchy, and sore skin.

Some tasks we do that make wood dust.
sawing  - machining
cutting  - sanding

How can we manage the risks from wood dust?
What controls measures do we already have?
What you think should be done to manage the risks from wood dust in the workplace?

Control Measures

• Local exhaust ventilation
• On-tool extraction
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Use water and wet working methods.
• Follow work instructions.
• Use the correct RPE(Respiratory Protective Enquipment) and PPE (Personal Protective Enquipment).
• Good housekeeping - use a vacuum cleaner.
• No dry sweeping
• Limit time doing dusty work.
• Change out of dusty clothes at work.
• Wash your hands and face before eating.

Remember team! Safety is just how we do things around here.

Any suggestions or improvements in regard to Health and Safety on site can be emailed to the Health & Safety Manager.