Dust in Bakeries: A problem and how to solve it

“The most important message for employers and people working in a place where they might be exposed to flour and ingredient dusts is that dust in bakeries can harm health. To reduce the risk of respiratory ill health, measures need to be taken to reduce the amount of dust people breathe in.”      (Federation of Bakers, 2017)

The Federation of Bakers issued guidance on controlling dust within bakeries in 2008 and in March 2017 updated that information.

The premise behind the document was to raise awareness of the hazards of dust, primarily flour and ingredient dust, as they constitute a significant and potentially serious hazard within the bakery industry.

All bakers should be aware of the risks to themselves and those around them, when working in a dust filled environment and the document provides guidance on how to reduce that risk.  It is also aimed at helping employers be alert to their duties and responsibilities with regards meeting their duty of care to their staff and ensuring that they comply with health and safety regulations.

We at Flextraction are specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of dust extraction products. We can offer advice on the best practical methods on how bakeries can achieve the desired outcome in meeting, or exceeding, the correct workplace exposure levels when it comes to dust in the atmosphere in the workplace.