A number of waste materials are universally recognised for their severe health risks — including asbestos, chemicals, medical waste, batteries, ABP-contaminated plastics, and more. But penalties issued by Britain’s workplace regulator, Health, and Safety Executive (HSE), are now placing producers and processors of wood waste under greater scrutiny. So how can dust fines be managed with the same rigour? Gary Moore, sales director at industrial shredding specialist UNTHA UK, shares the business case for slow-speed mechanical processing. 

 

Cracking down on wood waste byproducts 

The HSE has long been helping to control airborne contaminants in the workplace. But as Britain’s manufacturers battle with exposure to wood dust, the regulator has taken decisive action against companies failing to meet stringent occupational health standards.  

Target Furniture Limited, the contract furniture manufacturer based in Northampton, was recently fined after an inspection revealed workers were being exposed to excessive levels of wood dust. Despite previous visits and warnings, the company reportedly had inadequate measures in place to manage the hazard, with inspectors finding wood dust deposits throughout the sawmill and around most of the woodworking machines. 

Employees were even dry sweeping the dust, despite having a vacuum cleaner designed to safely remove the particles. The firm is also said to have lacked an adequate extraction system on machinery, as well as respiratory protective equipment. 

Meanwhile, Esken Renewables Limited, the UK’s number one supplier of biomass fuel, recently faced a £160,000 fine for malpractice at its Middlesbrough site. The company failed to design processes that minimise the spread of wood dust, putting workers at risk. Despite the company’s claims that the dust issues were exacerbated by storms, the HSE found their control measures to be severely lacking. 

It certainly makes for bleak reading. But these companies won’t be alone in their struggles. 

 

Why all the fuss about wood dust? 

Wood dust can be created during both the production and destruction of wood-based materials. The exact quantity and type of dust typically varies depending on the material being processed and tools being used. For example, is the timber green or seasoned? Is it hardwood, softwood, or composite board? Is it being sanded with a course disc? Or being shaped with a high-speed lathe?  

Regardless of these factors, there is a health risk involved. Wood dust can contain bacteria, as well as fungal and moss spores, which can trigger a range of respiratory symptoms, skin conditions, and, in some cases, life-threatening illness. Inhaling wood dust can also have non-reversible consequences. These include eye irritation, dermatitis, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and even rare types of cancer. Because fine dust can spread even further beyond the processing area too, workers are not just at risk when operating woodworking machinery.  

Not to mention, wood dust is also highly flammable. While coarse chips and shavings tend not to present a great explosion hazard, fine dusts are in danger of combusting. The risks are even higher in ripe environments, such as dust extraction equipment, where there are several potential ignition sources — for instance, an overheating bearing in a conveyor or fan, or sparks from the machining of off-cuts containing metal. 

So, while it might seem harmless compared to something like asbestos, its impacts are severe and well-documented. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) — which sets out legal requirements to protect workers from health risks arising from hazardous substances at work — employers (including contractors) have a duty to manage this risk suitably and sufficiently. 

 

Effective strategies for dust control 

Installing local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems is one way to combat the dangers. By capturing airborne dust directly at the source, and preventing it from spreading throughout the workplace, these systems are incredibly efficient at reducing dust levels and protecting workers’ health. 

Firms can also use on-tool extraction systems, which suck up the dust as it’s created, preventing it from becoming airborne and controlling dust at the source. Any form of vacuum equipment must meet at least the dust class M (medium hazard) classification or be attached to the LEV system. Regular upkeep of these systems is crucial too. An LEV system won’t do much good if it’s clogged with dust or poorly maintained. 

And let’s not forget about personal protective equipment (PPE). Providing workers with appropriate masks and respirators adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring they’re not breathing in harmful particles. To prevent inward leakage of contaminated air, conducting a face ‘fit test’ for each employee is crucial too. 

Of course, minimising wood dust in manufacturing environments is just one consideration for the supply chain. Greater thought is required when it comes to the ‘end of life’ processing or size reduction of wood ‘waste’ too.  

Driven by the need for high throughput and efficiency, high-speed wood shredding has traditionally been the go-to for many in the supply chain. In a nutshell, the more material you process, the harder you make an investment work, and the more profitable your operation becomes. 

However, beyond greater fire risks, heavier maintenance requirements, and spiralling costs, this approach has a number of downsides. It often leads to producing a high volume of oversized (non-spec) products that must be re-shredded, along with substantial amounts of non-saleable dust like fines. Fines are subject to costly disposal fees and pose greater risks to health and safety on-site. 

 

The case for slow-speed mechanical processing 

Initially met with scepticism, slow-speed shredders have proven their worth throughout the wood waste industry. Using a higher torque drive, these modern machines can operate at slower speeds without sacrificing throughput, usually in a single step. As well as lower wear and higher uptime, this process results in fewer fines and dust, with significantly reduced health and safety risks. 

The UNTHA XR, for example, not only minimises dust and fines production to less than 5% (up to 80% less dust than high-speed shredders) — equipped with numerous in-built safety features, it also satisfies an even broader range of EHS criteria. 

For instance, it has an auto-stop foreign object protection and removal mechanism, designed to prevent accidents, as well as a quick-change cutter system that allows for maintenance with minimal exposure to the machine’s operating parts. Functioning below the first hearing protection action point (80dB(A)), it also reduces the risk of hearing damage to workers — in fact, ear defenders are not actually required at all. 

To combat the notorious risk of fire outbreaks, the XR can also be supplied with advanced fire suppression technology. These include heat detectors, extinguishing nozzles, as well as slower-speed operations, by design, to reduce the likelihood of dust or sparks igniting. 

Not to mention, it’s electric-driven — lowering energy consumption by 75% compared to standard diesel-hydraulic drive options. Delivering significant benefits for the environment and your bottom line, as well as the health and safety of your teams, it’s therefore an investment that pays off in many ways. 

At UNTHA, we’re committed to providing advanced, safe, and efficient wood shredding solutions to meet the highest safety standards and environmental regulations. Want to see how the business case could stack up for your operations? Read our buyer’s guide to shredding technology.