Brian, Some very good points in what you've said, most of these issues are over a long term and for commercial works and saw mills etc.. and is it, that in fact there are no answer, just guild lines, any dust or conact can be dangerous, cases Industure, Mines and Farming over the past.
A similar area, if not a different subject is Noise and how the HSE address the subject in much the same way.. In the early 80's they came into the Commercial body builders/equipment works, I was at and measured everything, opening the main doors, vehicles running, grinding & grinders, air & electric drill, lathes, chop saws, pushes, mills, air wrenches everthing, right up close to you or the equipment over 3 days the most.. They came up with.. yes to much Noise.. This again was based on the facts of working 5 days and 48 hrs... in that case no piece of equipment would be run continually for those lenghts of time or all at the same time.. the one most important thing out of it all really was, everyones goggles were not impact resistant.. just rated for dust...
We had eyes tested and given safety glasses and ear protectors.. did we all look daft..
... since that time in any job, this has only came down to me personally to safe guard yourself..
An area to think about in our line is Viration, then again, as with dust and noise, not all of us are exposed to it long term and we do take to safe guard ourselves from them.
David