The vertical panel saw $($VPS$)$

KH offers a woodcutting service. Customers purchase the wood in store and have it cut, or they can

bring in their own wood to be cut. This is carried out using a VPS that has been in use since the

store opened. The VPS is located at the back of the store, between the two sets of automatic sliding

doors for the outside areas, that are constantly opening and closing.

The task of carrying out the cutting is not allocated to one individual worker. Instead, there are five

workers who are trained on how to operate the VPS safely. Depending on which of the workers are

available each day, they decide between themselves who will do the cutting on that day. Whenever

Worker $x$ is working, they always volunteer to take on this role and the SM is happy with this

arrangement. Worker $x$ then takes on tasks in the area close to the VPS$,$ this way they are nearby

when a customer wants to use the cutting service. Worker $Y$ also likes to work on the cutting service,

but the SM has noticed that Worker $Y$ is often breathless and coughs a lot while working on the VPS$.$

The SM is conscious that the customers do not want to be near someone who is coughing, while

waiting for their wood cutting to be done.

Recently, Worker $x$ has noticed that there has been a steady increase in the demand for the wood

cutting service in general, but the weekends are the busiest days. Some days, Worker $x$ spends

several hours working on the VPS$.$ A pair of earmuffs $($ear defenders$)$ and eye protection are

available for use by the workers. Most workers do not use the old and dirty earmuffs. The VPS

originally had an on$-$tool extraction system but, some time ago, workers complained that this made

the blade difficult to position accurately, so it was removed. Dust tends to build up along the length of

DI$2-0006-$ENG$-$QP$-$V$1$ May$24$ NEBOSH $2024$

the VPS and on the floor around it$.$ Workers use a broom to sweep the wood dust into a pile around

the back of the VPS at the end of each day. This pile of dust is vacuumed up every few days.

Worker $x$ is currently cutting a large sheet of plywood in half, and has two more customers waiting

with similar items. The SM has come to see Worker $x$ to talk to themTask $1$: Understanding and managing risks associated with exposure to wood dust

$1($a$)$ Supporting document $2$ is the Woodworking Monthly trade magazine

article that the SM was reading.

$($i$)$ Explain the meaning of $$occupational exposure limits for wood dust

that are assigned in law$.(8)$

Note: Your answer should be based on supporting document $2$

onlyWorking at the

'Wood Face'

Managing the risk of wood dust

exposure in a retail business

shops and timber merchants often pro$-$

vide a wood cutting service for their cus$-$

tomers. These wood cutting services are

very popular and often drive increased

sales of a wide range of timber. Custom$-$

ers are able to walk out of the store with

the wood they need for a job already cut

to size, reducing the time and effort they

have to expend to complete a job in the

workplace or at home.

A vertical panel saw $($VPS$)$ is the tool

of choice for those businesses offering

this service as it gives a good degree

of flexibility in the types of wood $($hard

and soft$)$ and size that can be cut. There

are however concerns about the health

issues being experienced by some workers

who operate this type of equipment

especially as hardwood dust is classed as a

carcinogen.

Recently this national hardware store decided

to take a closer look at the likely exposure to

wood dust being experienced by the workers

and commissioned an occupational hygienist

to help determine this. The data from the

study indicated that the typical exposure level

of workers in the wood cutting service was

$4\mathrm{.}1m\frac{g}{m}3(8-$hour time$-$weighted average

$($TWA$)).$

In addition to this exposure data the study

measured the particle size range of the wood

dust being generated during the wood cutting

activities.

This is shown in the table below.

Research indicates these particles are respirable

The study was a warning for this hardware store chain

especially when viewed alongside the occupational exposure

limits for wood dust that are assigned in law.

$*$Data Source for the occupational exposure limits is the Health and Safety Executive document EH$40$

Following the study it was clear action was needed.

Before we discuss the practical control measures that the hardware

store plans to introduce, it is helpful to consider the approach that

an employer must follow when deciding how to control exposure

to hazardous substances such as wood dust. Chapters $6\mathrm{.}4$ and $6\mathrm{.}5$

of the ILO CoP, Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work gives a clear

steer on this approach and how to apply this practically in the real

world.