Wood dust
Airborne wood dust presents an exposure hazard to workers. Activities likely to produce high dust levels include:
- Machining operations, particularly sawing, routing, and sanding
- Using compressed air to blow dust off furniture or equipment
- Emptying the bag from a dust extraction system or vacuum
See our resources for more information on working safely around wood dust.
Resources
Western Red Cedar Asthma
A pamphlet that explains what occupational asthma is. This pamphlet also explains the symptoms of red cedar asthma, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, who is susceptible to it, and how it can be prevented.
Combustible Wood Dust Explosions
Combustible wood dust refers to the fine, dry wood particles that are a by-product of milling wood. This video explains why it's such a hazard in sawmills and wood shops, and also shows how it increases...