Don’t be the next furniture manufacturer fined for breaching COSHH

Following the news that The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently prosecuted a furniture manufacturer for breaching the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2022 (COSHH), the Furniture Industry Research Association is highlighting to members the need to control dust and other hazards generated during furniture manufacture to prevent potential risks of exposure for operatives.

The furniture manufacturer in question, based in the Midlands, has been fined £14,700 and ordered to pay an additional £5,000 in costs for the breaches that were discovered during an inspection visit to their site in May 2022.

The site inspectors found wood dust had been allowed to accumulate and that it was being collected by dry sweeping despite the presence of a vacuum cleaner intended for the purpose.

FIRA International’s expert on health and safety, John Hubbard explains