NIOSH hazard controls HC8 - control of wood dust from random orbital hand sanders.
NIOSH 1996 Sep; :1-2
Wood dust generated during the use of random orbital hand sanders exposes the operator of this equipment to an increased risk of lung and skin irritation with possible additional hazards such as reduced lung function and nasal cancer. A new control system was developed which could significantly cut down on the exposure to the dust. Previously, the dust generated by these tools was controlled by an aspirator in combination with a perforated sanding pad. The aspirator created a vacuum to draw wood dust up through holes in the sanding pad. The new control system uses additional exhaust and a slotted sanding pad to increase dust control. The increased suction of the additional exhaust alone caused the sanding pad to be pulled to the work surface, making the tool hard to use. Curved slots cut into the sanding pad eliminate this drawback. These slots relieved the pressure caused by the extra suction and provided additional dust control at the pad periphery. Dust emissions are reduced by about 90% with the new dust control system. The new system does not interfere with the operation of the worker, requires no special maintenance, and is inexpensive to operate and install. The device at present is not commercially available.
Wood-dusts; Woodworkers; Hand-tools; Woodworking-industry; Dust-control; Airborne-dusts; Control-technology; Power-tools; Exhaust-ventilation
Numbered Publication; Hazard Control
(NIOSH) 96-125; HC-8
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health