CLEAPSS Guidance - The Small Print

Handling Wood Dust

We have had a few helpline queries over the past few months regarding the clearing away of wood dust in workshops. We have also noticed this topic appear on a number of online forums.

It seems that some schools have been told they must use vacuum cleaners to collect dust generated on benches.

The guidance has not changed, where dust is created, and considered a risk to the operator or those nearby, it should be controlled.

The Work Exposure Limits (WELs) for wood dusts have been updated recently, which means that the level of dust in a room may now require greater controls. This is, however, unlikely to be a significant issue, or require a change in how wood dust is handled in most schools.

The increased awareness of respirable dust is probably what is driving the helpline queries and discussions. It is now more likely that in an industrial setting, or on a building site, dust control using a HEPA M level of on-tool extraction would be expected.

We have recommended for some years that cleaning should be carried out using a dustless method, i.e. using an industrial vacuum cleaner, fitted with HEPA M filters, rather than using brushes or sweeping the benches and floors.

Where large amounts of dust are generated, this must be controlled, using LEV, local extraction, or through vacuuming.

We do not recommend the use of dust masks, as it is unlikely that they will afford effective protection, without the wearer being trained in face fitting. For guidance on face masks read GL310 our guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment.

For further information on handling dust, take a look at the Model Risk Assessment 071 Dust from Woodworking.