A furniture maker has been fined after failing to protect its workers from hazardous wood dust exposure despite multiple warnings from regulators.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had consistently failed to control wood dust accumulation at its Lancashire site, posing serious health risks. Wood dust is known to cause 'serious and often irreversible health problems', including asthma, dermatitis, and, in the case of hardwood dust, nasal cancer. It is also highly flammable and can lead to fire or explosion hazards.
Pendle Woodcraft (Blackburn) Limited, based on Cotton Hall Street, Darwen, had been visited by HSE inspectors multiple times since 2015. Despite being advised on safe practices, subsequent inspections in 2019, 2021, and 2023 revealed ongoing safety breaches. Improvement Notices were issued, but the company failed to take sufficient action.
On 15 January 2025, the company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,926.55 in costs at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.
HSE Inspector Tracy Fox stated that the company had 'repeatedly failed to protect its own workers' and stressed that businesses must control wood dust exposure 'to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.' She warned that persistent safety failings would result in prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward and paralegal officer Helen Hugo.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com