Once sensitised, the body will quickly react if subsequently exposed, even to tiny traces of dust. Unlike irritation, where people can continue to work with the dust once it is controlled to below the level at which irritation occurs, people who become sensitised will not normally be able to continue working with the dust, no matter how low the exposure. Many effects have been described including headache, thirst, nausea, visual disturbance, drowsiness, anaemia and hepatitis. Splinter wounds Splinter wounds from a number of woods are slow to heal and often turn septic, eg greenheart, mansonia. This is partly due to the species involved and partly due to secondary infections, from bacteria and fungi entering through the skin.
Precautions Find out if timbers used have known ill health effects.
Contact your suppliers for information. 2 Provide an effective dust extraction system which will control exposure to wood dust to below the occupational exposure limits. Provide suitable protective clothing to protect susceptible skin areas where timber known to cause skin problems is used. This clothing should be designed so dust does not become trapped between clothing and skin. Ensure good personal hygiene, which will include thorough washing after exposure to dust.