General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Sawing, sanding or planing wood creates dust that can cause irritation, respiratory disease and certain cancers. Prevention also needs to cover handheld tools used in the workshop.
General workshop ventilation is insufficient. INRS recommends capturing dust as close as possible to where it is generated, before it disperses into the air people breathe.
Before using a machine or handheld tool, follow the instructions for switching on extraction. Report missing extraction or an apparent fault to your supervisor.
The recommended cleaning method is vacuum extraction, without a broom or compressed-air gun. Dispersing settled dust does not replace collecting it with appropriate equipment.
Professionals should design the installation. Maintenance, user training and reviewing the extraction network after workshop alterations are also part of preventing exposure to wood dust.
Prepare a list of machines, tools and cleaning stages to review with the supervisor. Clarify the instructions, planned maintenance and whom to contact if extraction fails.
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