Recent prosecutions: Wood supplier fined £40,000 for wood dust offences

A wood supplier was hit with a £40,000 fine for repeatedly exposing staff to harmful wood dust. 

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection found inadequate control measures, prompting enforcement action against the company. Investigators observed dust covering the workshop floor, highlighting ongoing safety failures that put employees at risk of inhaling hazardous particles.  

Despite a previous enforcement notice related to wood dust offences, the business neglected to take remedial steps. 

In this scenario, recommendations would typically include: 

• Providing and maintaining local exhaust ventilation systems. 
• Having appropriate face-fit tested respiratory protection. 
• Carrying out health surveillance to monitor workers’ lung health.
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The HSE inspector said, ‘The fine imposed…should underline that HSE take a failure to protect the health of employees extremely seriously.

‘To make matters worse, this company had been visited previously and had failed to take steps to protect its workers.

‘We will not hesitate to take action against companies which fail to do all they can.’

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Employers are responsible for safeguarding their workers from respiratory conditions caused by workplace dust and airborne hazards, such as occupational asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Preventative action is key to reducing the risk of serious, long-term health effects.

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• Step-by-step strategies to identify risks, minimise exposure, and improve safety outcomes.
• Guidance on selecting, fitting, and maintaining respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
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• Support options for health surveillance, occupational health, and air monitoring.

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Speak to the Opus Safety team 

For simple answers to your most complex compliance concerns, chat with an Opus Safety consultant. Our tailored risk assessments and occupational health services have helped hundreds of businesses take care of staff and transform safety performance.

Get in touch on 0330 043 4015 or email hello@opus-safety.co.uk.

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