Dont Flaunt the Law with Exhaust Ventilation Systems

It’s no surprise that the Health & Safety Executive is getting tough on firms which are flaunting the law when it comes to local exhaust ventilation systems. The HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill-health, and actively prosecutes those businesses which fall foul of their regulations.

Essex company fined £5,000 in court.

One example late last year was the prosecution of an Essex firm which was fined £5,000 for repeatedly failing to have its exhaust ventilation system for extracting wood dust thoroughly examined.

Welsted Joinery Ltd, which is based in South Woodham Ferrers, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(2) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. They also pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulation 9(3) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £5,000 for each offence and ordered to pay total costs of £2,240.50.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court was told that the company had been served with enforcement notices about these matters over the past 10 years after inspection visits. After the case, the HSE said they hoped the prosecution would warn other businesses that they won’t be allowed to get away with breaking the law.

HSE is targeting the woodworking industry

Inspector Saffron Turnell said: “This case sends out a clear message that HSE will prosecute when Inspectors find serious health and safety failings particularly when previous enforcement and advice has been provided.”

“This year, the HSE is targeting the woodworking industry because of the significant health risks associated with wood dust exposure. I strongly urge such businesses to consult the HSE website for further information to ensure that control of exposure is managed and their statutory duties are complied with.”

Hardwood dust can cause cancer

Wood dust can cause serious health problems, which makes it all the more important that businesses install the right equipment. From the outset, it can lead to asthma.

However, hardwood dust can cause cancer, particularly of the nose. Settled dust contains the fine particles that are most likely to damage the lungs. According to the HSE, carpenters and joiners are four times more likely to get asthma compared with other UK workers.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require businesses to protect workers from the hazards of wood dust.

Vodex offers the perfect solution.

At Vodex, we offer the perfect solution for the workplace with our dust extraction systems for fine dust or industrial scale dust removal.

All of our dust extractor units come in a range of sizes and different flow rates. We offer a range of attachments and accessories such as arms or extraction hoods and cowls. For larger industrial dust applications, such as wood or fibres, our larger filter collector units would be suitable.

In our extensive product range you will find an extraction unit that will fit your application perfectly and with our installation team, we will ensure that the equipment of your choice will be installed in your plant to your complete satisfaction.

Our product range includes: