Monday 25 September marks World Lung Day, the international awareness day to help educate and promote lung health. Breathing in wood dust can cause irreversible lung diseases. HSE inspectors continue to visit woodworking businesses across Great Britain as part of our targeted inspections programme, checking that dutyholders know the established health risks and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health. To ensure your woodworking business is managing the risks and is prepared for an inspection, we have free resources and guidance to prevent exposure to dust and protect your workers respiratory health: We are delighted that the Institute of Carpenters is supporting our Dust Kills woodworking campaign. IOC board member Paul Preston said: 'Many woodworking accidents are frequently dramatic, bloody, unforgettable events that often make the pages of the press. Most woodworkers are acutely aware of lightning-fast cutter blades that can cause lifechanging cuts and loss of fingers. Care and respect are given to the sharp end of the cutting tool. 'In contrast, dust doesnt offer us such immediate, gruesome images to compel us to take precautions; no drama for others to witness or fear. The silent intake of dust, little and often is enough to afflict lifechanging illness often emerging years later.'  25 September will also mark the start of National Inclusion Week 2023. This years theme is 'take action, make impact'. This is a prompt for us to reflect on our collective responsibility to create workplaces where individuals are truly supported, valued and empowered. Its not always easy recruiting the people you need to help your business succeed. So, keeping and developing talent in your business is important. HSE published non-statutory guidance, a set of simple core principles, to help employers create workplaces that are safe and supportive to enable disabled workers or workers with long-term health conditions to thrive.Download our Talking Toolkit to help employers and managers structure these conversations. |
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