Certificated Training
Dust extraction systems play a critical role in maintaining safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing environments. Designed to capture and remove airborne dust, chips and particulate at source, effective extraction helps protect operators, improve machine performance and maintain air quality within workshops, manufacturing facilities and production environments.
Dust extraction is widely used across woodworking, panel processing, metalworking, plastics and composite machining environments. Systems can be configured to support individual machines or entire production lines, capturing dust generated when processing materials such as wood, MDF, plastics, aluminium and specialist materials.
Typical Dust Extraction Applications
Dust extraction systems are widely used in manufacturing environments where machining processes generate airborne dust, chips or particulate matter, including:
Furniture and Joinery manufacturing and panel processing
Timber Merchants and Sawmills processing solid timber and boards
Signage, Exhibitions and Theatre machining plastics and composite materials
Building and Construction manufacturing engineered components and panels
Education workshops and technical training environments
Dust extraction systems are commonly required when processing materials including:
Solid Wood
Wood-Based Panels such as MDF and particleboard
Plastics
Composites
Foam and Rubber
Correctly specified extraction systems help reduce airborne contamination, improve housekeeping and support compliance with health and safety legislation, including COSHH requirements. They also contribute to improved tool life and more consistent machining results by preventing dust build-up around cutting areas.
Dust Extraction and LEV Compliance
In many manufacturing and machining environments, dust extraction systems form part of a regulated Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) control system. Under UK COSHH regulations, employers are required to control exposure to hazardous airborne substances, including wood dust, MDF dust and other particulate generated during machining processes. Wood dust is classified as a hazardous substance under COSHH, particularly hardwood dust which is recognised as a carcinogen.
Properly designed dust extraction systems help capture contaminants at source and maintain safe air quality within workshops and production facilities. To remain compliant, LEV systems must be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months, with documented reports confirming that the system continues to operate effectively.
Daltons supports customers not only with the specification and installation of dust extraction systems, but also with ongoing LEV testing and compliance support, helping organisations maintain safe working environments and meet regulatory obligations.
Every workshop is different. Our specialists will help you confirm specifications, applications, and suitability before you invest. Get clear, practical advice tailored to your needs. Enquire today.
Dust extraction helps protect operator health, maintain air quality and reduce fire and explosion risks. It also supports cleaner machining, improved tool life and safer working conditions.
In many environments, yes. Under COSHH regulations, employers must control exposure to hazardous dusts. Effective dust extraction is a key engineering control used to meet these legal obligations.
Dust extraction is commonly required when processing materials such as solid timber, MDF, wood-based panels, plastics, composites, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals that generate airborne particulates.
Dust extraction refers to the physical system that captures airborne dust. Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is the regulated control system that must be tested and maintained to ensure effective capture and compliance.
System size depends on the machines being connected, material type, ducting layout and required airflow. Proper system design ensures sufficient capture velocity at each machine connection.
Under COSHH regulations, Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems used to control hazardous airborne substances must be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months. This inspection ensures the system continues to capture dust effectively and maintain safe air quality within the workplace. The test must be carried out by a competent person and documented in a formal report that demonstrates ongoing compliance.