INDUSTRY RISKS
· FORESTRY + WOODWORK

The National Institute of Health reports that over 60 million workers across the globe are exposed to wood dust in the workplace. This can result in various occupational respiratory illnesses such as
silicosis and asthma.

• According to World Wide Fund (WWF), 15 billion trees are cut down every year worldwide
• Wood dust is one of the leading causes of occupational asthma in the UK, which in turn is responsible for 10-20% of all cases of adult asthma according to Health Research Authority
• The National Institute of Health reports that 62 million workers (2% of the global workforce) are occupationally exposed to wood dust

• Hardwood dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Sawdust
• Softwood dust

• Formaldehyde
• Volatile Organic Compounds

• Chipping wood
• Chiselling wood
• Cutting wood
• Sanding wood
• Sawing wood
• Settled dust being disturbed

• Finishing wood products
• Painting wood
• Polishing wood
• Restoring wood
• Smoke from charcoal production