Topic of the Month: Woodworking

Topic of the Month: Woodworking

(Photo: HVBG/Danetzki)

Woodworking operations can be very dangerous, particularly when workers use machines improperly or without proper safeguards. Improperly or inadequately guarded woodworking machines can lead to the following injuries: laceration, amputation, severed fingers, and blindness. Wood dust and the chemicals used for finishing products are health hazards to wood workers and may cause skin and respiratory diseases.

Health and safety management in the woodworking industry as a whole is very poor. The fatal and major injuries rate is one of the highest for any industry, despite the fact that the hazards are well known, and so are the prevention measures. Sawmills are by far the most dangerous workplaces in the sector, and are increasingly subcontracted and informal, leading to deteriorating conditions for workers.

Dust and noise are all too often accepted as just 'part of the job', as a result, millions of workers across the world suffer from predictable and preventable health problems caused by their work. Typically, skin and respiratory problems, long term aches and pain and deafness. The industry relies on the skills of machine operators, rather than the use of proper physical safeguards to prevent accidents and ill health.

The main hazards
It is important to focus on the following as these risks are involved in about 90% of all fatal and major injuries reported in the woodworking industry:
- machinery safety;
- manual handling;
- falls from a height;
- slips and trips;
- stacking of timber;
- transport.

Machinery
Woodworking machinery causes more major injuries than machinery in any other industry . To prevent machinery accidents, employers must:
- ensure all necessary guards are in position;
- make sure operators are adequately trained and properly supervised;
- check that safe working methods are being followed, eg use of jigs and push sticks.

Flying or falling objects
Due to machinery hazards and bad stacking. Employers must:
- ensure that protective devices are properly used and in working order to prevent ejection or kick back of workpieces from machinery;
- make sure tools and cutters are adequately secured;
- make sure that timber is safely stacked; that lorries are loaded/unloaded in a safe way; and that loads are properly secured;
- provide suitable goggles to prevent injuries from fasteners which ricochet or misfire from pneumatic nailing and stapling tools.

Falls
Employers must
- avoid unnecessary work at heights, eg on stacks and lorries;
- ensure safe access and guarding to prevent falls from heights

Transport
Employers must
- plan traffic routes carefully, separating pedestrians from traffic so far as possible;
- properly train lift truck operators.

Slips and trips
Employers must
- plan and clearly mark workshop layout, positioning of machinery and access routes;
- organise collection and storage of waste material to avoid obstructed or slippery floors - clean up regularly;
- keep floors in good condition;
- provide good lighting.

Manual Handling
Employers must
- avoid the need for manual handling where possible;
- avoid heavy lifting and pulling movements;
- use mechanical lifting aids and automate processes where possible;
- store timber so that it can be easily retrieved.

Fires and explosion
Employers must
- check that dust collection equipment incorporates the necessary precautions
- ensure that wood waste does not accumulate in the workplace;
- provide training for employees in what to do in the event of a fire

Occupational ill health
In woodworking there is a wide range of health risks causing a variety of illnesses. In many cases the problems go unnoticed, slowly getting worse until they become permanent, often disabling or even fatal.

Wood dust
Wood dust is a very common cause of occupational asthma, a serious condition that substantially reduces quality of life and which puts many workers out of a job in the industry forever.

For all health risks associated with wood dust, employers must ensure that:
- Exposure to wood dust is reduced as far as possible.
- Control measures, (local exhaust ventilation) that are properly designed, used and maintained.
- As a last resort, and in combination with other prevention measures, provide personal protective equipment. Where the use of dust respirators is necessary, that they are suitable, properly worn and replaced at necessary intervals.
- Workers and supervisors need to be properly trained and instructed in the likely health risks and how to minimise them.
- Health surveillance should be used as a tool to protect the health of employees.
- General cleanliness and good housekeeping to make sure dust is kept to a minimum.. Dust should be damped down with sprinkled water when sweeping. Dust should always be sucked, not blown off machinery.

Noise
Some of the noisiest working environments are found in the woodworking industries. Exposure to loud noise can permanently damage hearing resulting in deafness or tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Noise levels above 80 decibels causes hearing loss. At exposure to 90 decibels over a working lifetime more than 40% of the workforce will become profoundly deaf.

Employers must
- make a noise assessment to identify workers exposed and actions to be taken;
- reduce noise exposure as far as possible by means other than hearing protectors, eg by using acoustic enclosures;
- set up ear protection zones;
- provide suitable ear protectors and ensure they are worn.
- provide information to workers about the risks to hearing and prevention measures

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
HAVS is likely in any process where workers' hands are exposed to high vibration levels (eg from vibrating tools or workpieces). Effects include impaired blood circulation and damage to the nerves and muscles. The best known example is "vibration white finger" also called Raynaud's syndrome.

The vibration 'dose' received by a worker over a day depends on: vibration frequency (the worst range is from 5 to 20 Hertz); exposure duration; and the grip and push force required to guide the tool or workpiece.

Danger signs you may notice are where:
- any tool or process causes tingling or numbness after 5-10 minutes use; and
- high risk machines are used, such as hand-held sanders; hand-fed or hand-held circular saws; pneumatic nailing and stapling guns; and chainsaws.

Exposure to hazardous chemicals
The use of hazardous chemicals is common in the woodworking industry, typically, timber preservatives; solvents in paints, glues, varnishes and lacquers; and paint stripping chemicals. These chemicals can cause skin problems, brain damage, organ damage (such as liver and kidneys) reproductive problems, such as reduced fertility, damage to the unborn child, and miscarriages. These include well known as cancer causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde, which is commonly used in the manufacture of plywood, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and chipboards.

Employers must:
- Check what chemicals are being used in the workplace and obtain manufacturers safety data sheets and properly labelled containers in the correct language of the country where it is used. This will provide basic information on hazards and protection measures.
- Reduce the exposure to these hazardous substances to the lowest level they can achieve, by reducing the number of chemical products in use; and the amounts of these used; trying to use less hazardous chemicals as substitutes; provide ventilation; as a last resort, and in combination with other prevention measures, provide personal protective equipment
- Inform and train workers on the hazards and on how to avoid health risks

What should you do before using woodworking machines?
Woodworking tools can be dangerous if not used properly.
- Only use woodworking machines that you have been trained to use properly and safely.
- Read the owner's manual carefully.
- Make sure you understand instructions before attempting to use any tool or machine. Ask questions if you have any doubts about doing the work safely.

What safety procedures should you follow when using woodworking machines?
- Always wear safety glasses or goggles
- Wear dust masks when required.
- Wear hearing protection that is suitable for the level and frequency of the noise you are exposed to in the woodworking area. If you have trouble hearing someone speak from three feet away, the noise level from the machine is too high. Damage to hearing may occur.
- Use gloves to protect hands from splinters when handling wood but do not wear them near rotating blades and other machinery parts where the gloves can catch.
- Make sure the guard is in position, is in good working condition, and guards the machine adequately before operating any equipment or machine. Check and adjust all other safety devices.
- Make sure the equipment is properly grounded before use.
- Check that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from the machine before turning on the power.
- Inspect stock for nails or other materials before cutting, planing, routing or carrying out similar activities.
- Make sure that all machines have start and stop buttons within easy and convenient reach of an operator. Start buttons should be protected so that accidental contact will not start the machine. A collar around the button 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm) above the button is recommended.
- Ensure that all cutting tools and blades are clean, sharp, and in good working order so that they will cut freely, not forced.
- Turn the power off and unplug the power cord (or lock out the power source) before inspecting, changing, cleaning, adjusting or repairing a blade or a machine. Also turn the power off when discussing the work.
- Use a "push stick" to push material into the cutting area. Jigs are also useful in keeping hands safe during cutting procedures. Keep hands out of the line of the cutting blade.
- Clamp down and secure all work pieces when drilling or milling.
- Use good lighting so that the work piece, cutting blades, and machine controls can be seen clearly. Position or shade lighting sources so they do not shine in the operator's eyes or cause any glare and reflections.
- Ensure that the floor space around the equipment is sufficient to enable you to machine the size of work piece being processed safely without bumping into other workers or equipment.
- Woodworking machines should be fitted with efficient and well-maintained local exhaust ventilation systems to remove sawdust or chips that are produced.
- Electric power cords should be above head level or in the floor in such a way that they are not tripping hazards.
- Keep work area free of clutter, clean, well swept, and well lit. Spills should be cleaned up immediately. Floor areas should be level and non-slip. Good housekeeping practices and workplace design will reduce the number of injuries and accidents from slips, trips, and falls.

What should you avoid when working with woodworking machines?
- Do not wear loose clothing, work gloves, neckties, rings, bracelets or other jewelry that can become entangled with moving parts.
- Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause your hand to move into the cutting tool or blade.
- Do not remove sawdust or cuttings from the cutting head by hand while a machine is running. Use a stick or brush when the machine has stopped moving.
- Do not use compressed air to remove sawdust, turnings, etc. from machines or clothing.
- Do not leave machines running unattended (unless they are designed and intended to be operated while unattended). Do not leave a machine until the power off is turned off and the machine comes to a complete stop.
- Do not try to free a stalled blade before turning the power off.
- Do not distract or startle an operator while he or she is using woodworking equipment.
- Horse play should be prohibited. It can lead to injuries.

Further information

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