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Machining materials (such as wood or metal) causes small particles of dust to become suspended in the air. These suspended dust particles possess the following risks to health:

• Inhaling dust can cause serious breathing problems, including but not limited to:

  • Asthma.

  • Cancer of the nose.

  • Cancer of the lungs.

• Machined dust can cause eye irritation.

• Exposure to machined dust can cause various skin conditions. 

Ways to control exposure to dust

Dust extraction

Ensure your extraction system is Class M or higher, and has a minimum airflow rate of 70 litres/second to remove and contain dust from the work area.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

Provide operators with respirators to protect against airborne material dust. An example of the respiratory specification is shown below.

Site regulations and further information

If you are using SmartBench on a professional job site, you may be subject to local working regulations concerning dust from machining. 

Click here to see the UK government’s Health and Safety information regarding wood dust. 

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