Occupational Hygiene program for Wood Dust Exposure at the Timber Processing Factories |Biomedgrid

Exposure to wood dust can cause nasal and sinonasal cancer. Occupational hygiene program (OHP) for sawmill workers have not been studied extensively. It is known worldwide that sawmill workers are exposed to a variety of health hazards. Currently there is no comprehensive OHP exiting for the timber processing factories. The objective of this study was to develop an applicable OHP aimed at reducing worker's exposure to wood dust at the timber processing factories. Implementing an OHP is based on the HIRA for identifying potential hazards. The recommended controls are based on the exposure assessment conducted at the timber processing factories. In the timber processing factory, elimination of wood dust is an impractical measure to implement, hence, implementation of engineering and administrative control supplemented by appropriate use of fit-tested RPDs with higher APF is recommended to mitigate the exposure. Engineering controls include LEV hood fitted close to the source while administration controls include increasing distance from source far away from workers while PPE includes use of approved FFP2 respirators. This program will assist in reducing worker's exposure thus reducing occupational diseases amongst sawmill workers.