11 March 2020
The Safe Use of Woodworking Machinery: Approved Code of Practice, ACoP 9 (Woodworking ACoP) has been amended to reflect changes to the workplace exposure limit (WEL) for hardwood dust.
Inhalation of wood dust causes serious health problems, including occupational asthma. Exposure to hardwood dust can also cause a rare form of sino-nasal cancer. In view of the health risks, both hardwood and softwood dusts have a WEL which should not be exceeded.
The WEL for hardwood dust has recently been revised following an amendment to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (2004/37/EC). The WEL (based on an 8-hour time-weighted average) for hardwood dust, whether on its own or when mixed with softwood dusts, has changed from 5 mg/m3 to 3mg/m3.
Revised paragraph for Woodworking ACoP
Paragraph 267 of the Woodworking ACoP has been revised accordingly, and now reads:
Both hardwood and softwood dusts have a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) which should not be exceeded. WELs are limits on concentrations of dust in the air, averaged over 8 hours, and for wood dusts are as follows:
- Hardwood dust: 3mg/m3 (based on an 8-hour time-weighted average)
- Softwood dust: 5 mg/m3 (based on an 8-hour time-weighted average)
- Mixtures of hardwood and softwood dusts: 3mg/m3 (based on an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Because wood dust is an asthmagen, exposure must be reduced as low as is reasonable practicable (ie below the relevant WEL where this is reasonably practicable)
Further information
Working safely with woodworking machinery
Note: The UK Health and Safety Executive has given an indication that the WEL for hardwood dust and mixtures of hardwood and softwood dust is likely to further reduce in 2023 to 2 mg/m3. As such, it is recommended that any planned improvements should consider these future changes.
gov.je