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industry news
EXPOBOIS 2010 Wood Industry Observatory
Over its last three shows EXPOBOIS has carried out a survey of those involved in the wood industry with a view to collecting first-hand accounts of their business and gaining some awareness of their expectations*. EXPOBOIS today reveals the results of its 2010 Wood industry Observatory.
- An industry that believes in an imminent upturn
In both 2005 and 2008 wood industry players expressed great optimism in a situation favorable to their business. However, while today they feel weakened and barely a third of them sense a situation generally speaking good by the end of 2010, professionals anticipate a return to better conditions within one to three years (over 40% positive opinion).
- Their priorities: find new markets in order to withstand the crisis and restore investment
As a direct consequence of a financial crisis, trade professionals are committing themselves totally to the sustainability of their organization. Here are some priorities:
- finding new markets (84%)
- improving in productivity in general (78%)
- extending the range of products on offer (70%)
Please note that the financial and economic crisis has put a tremendous squeeze on investment. Nevertheless, equipment procurement projects in the period covering the EXPOBOIS 2010 trade fair have not been halted.
- Sustainable development and the wood industry
Aware of the environmental challenges associated with Sustainable Development, sector professionals are measuring the impact on their business: environmentally friendly waste management, stricter selection of wood treatment products, verification of the origin and certification of purchased wood material...
- State Recovery Plan
Some 60% of those surveyed feel that the French €100-billion state recovery plan will have a positive impact on the entire industry. The Fittings and Furniture sectors are the most optimistic (65% and 63% respectively).
What emerges is that far from moaning about difficulties the wood industry is organizing itself to secure the sustainability and competitiveness of its enterprises, starting today by seeking out and making the most of future industrial, commercial and environmental opportunities.
* EXPOBOIS 2010 Observatory, survey of a sample representative of all wood-using industries carried out in September: forestry, primary processing, construction, furniture, packaging, divers (wood-using industries - toys, yachting, wood fuel, timber merchants ...).
Wood Dust: A Public Health Concern
An estimated 300,000 workers are exposed to wood dust in France, whether in sawmills, on construction sites, in shipyards or in the manufacturing of furniture.
The dust produced during the processing of wood can cause pathologies with varying degrees of severity: among the most severe, nasal and sinus cavity cancers and pulmonary lesions; and among the less severe, skin and mucous irritations that may lead to allergies.
While wood dust is recognized as the second leading cause of occupational cancer in France, legislation relating to this omnipresent risk is, however, not sufficiently applied in companies.
The challenge today is to take the entirety of the cancer risk into account. This may be seen in risk assessment in given contexts, professional exposure limit monitoring, extraction and recycling equipment inspection and, finally, in the traceability of exposure.
An action plan has been decided upon jointly by the CNAMTS (French national health insurance fund for salaried workers), the INRS (French national research and safety institute), the OPPBTP (French professional construction industry accident prevention organization), the CRAM (French regional health insurance funds) prevention departments and the French ministry of Agriculture, in order to improve compliance with legislation in force. Informing and raising the awareness of employers and staff concerned by the problem, targeted technical support in the matter of risk assessment and the installation and monitoring of equipment are among the priorities undertaken.
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