Health and Safety Executive

Woodworkers - common causes of asthma

Hardwood, softwood and wood composite dusts arise in wood machining and sanding. They are a common cause of occupational asthma.

Asthma affects workers in the furniture and joinery industries.

See COSHH Essentials for detailed advice on control.

Top tips

  • Use dust extraction. For dusty jobs, you also need respiratory protective equipment.
  • Never sweep up or use compressed air. Clean up using wet methods or an industrial vacuum cleaner.
  • Check that all extraction systems work properly once a week
  • You need regular health surveillance

Reduce disease - reduce exposure to wood dusts

The dustiest tasks are sanding, assembly and cleaning, and these usually require a respirator in addition to dust extraction.

Settled dust is easily raised, and is also a dust explosion hazard, so cleaning is important.

You can find more guidance and information on the Asthma publications pages.


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