F&E Joinery Limited has been fined £20,000 for negligence in wood dust management, after finding several failings related to the control of exposure to wood dust on site
The joinery firm was inspected in May 2022 as part of an HSE campaign targeting woodworking businesses. Poor wood dust management can cause serious health risks, including occupational asthma.
Occupational asthma is caused by exposure to irritants in the workplace. It can be caused by inhaling dust, fumes, chemicals, or other substances. Symptoms of occupational asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
The HSE inspection uncovered that some of the company’s machines had been disconnected from the local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system. The LEV system is used to extract wood dust during wood machining. There was no way to connect other machines to the system.
LEV significantly reduces the amount of wood dust that becomes airborne and inhaled when machined. No evidence settled wood dust was being cleaned up.
F&E joinery had previously been served with an enforcement notice regarding negligence of wood dust management on two previous occasions.
The firm was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,500
F & E Joinery Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and was fined £20,000. The firm was also ordered to pay costs of £1,500.
In worst cases, exposure to wood dust can cause premature death
HSE inspector, Marcus Pope said: “This case sends out a clear message to the industry that HSE will prosecute when inspectors find serious health and safety failings, particularly when previous enforcement and advice has been provided.
“Exposure to wood dust causes various occupational lung diseases which can significantly affect the quality of people’s lives, and in some cases result in premature death. HSE continues to target the woodworking industry and strongly urges businesses to consult its website for further information to ensure that control of exposure is managed, and their statutory duties are complied with.”
