Protect Your Health With Dust Collection Systems
Dust collection systems are not a luxury in a wood working shop, they are essential for protecting your health. If you want to know how to set up a good dust collection system, I can recommend the book titled Woodshop Dust Control as a very good way to learn what you must do to protect your health. Learn how to set up effective dust collection systems.
Skin irritation and skin sensitization
Skin irritation can be caused by contact with wood or wood dust, once the irritant has been removed with dust collection systems the symptoms will subside. Sensitization dermatitis is a greater problem as once you are sensitized, then exposure to even very small amounts of wood dust can cause a severe allergic reaction.
Asthma is the most common allergic respiratory complaint with wood dust and it can also occur along side dermatitis. Chronic obstructive lung disease is yet another problem that can arise from the exposure to wood dust. These health issue can be greatly reduced or eliminated with the right dust collection systems.
Working with medium density particle board (MDF) has the added danger of the formaldehyde that can be breathed into the lungs. Protective measures against exposure to the dust of MDF should be followed at all times. This is one place that you really must employ safety measures by using good dust collection systems.
These are just a few of the problems that are associated with working in an area subject to wood dust that does not have good dust collection systems installed. It is not just a luxury to keep wood dust under control, it is vital to your health and to the health of your workers if you do employ anyone.
To ensure your protection from wood dust by observing the following:-
- Be fully aware of the dangers that wood dust presents
- Use good house keeping practices to keep the area clean
- Install adequate exhaust ventilation systems
- Do not use compressed air to clean machines as this only makes the dust air borne and more dangerous.
- Use vacuum to remove any surface dust
- Maintain all dust collection systems and ventilation systems so they perform at their best
Fitting good quality dust collection systems such as the Shop Fox W1742 is a very good start to protecting your health, but if you are going to spend a lot of time in your wood working shop, then it is vital that you also invest in a whole-shop dust filtering system that will capture any of the fine dust that will escape from even good dust collection systems, as this very fine dust is the most dangerous to your health.
If you use hand held tools then you should also invest in a sanding table to suck up the dust as you make it. These types of dust collection systems are not difficult to make yourself if you have the time or you can purchase a purpose made sanding table.
These steps may sound a bit excessive, but if you are serious about protecting your health then they are essential steps that must be take. There are people who loved working with wood but had to give it up due to health concerns. Believe me I know, because I am one of those people.
Invest in good dust collection systems and protect yourself from the hazards of wood dust.
Follow the procedures on the following pages to ensure you are using the best dust collection systems for your wood shop and that you are following safe practices to protect your health.