 |
| This photograph is in the public domain. |
Sign Builder Illustrated @SBIMag story on how to avoid the dangers of dust particles
By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim
Used carelessly, power tools are an obvious danger. Thankfully these accidents rarely happen. A much greater health hazard for woodworkers and painters, however, is the dust in our shop air.
Particulates too small to see are not only out of sight, but often out of mind. The dust storm that you create when fabricating wood products or when sanding a painted surface can cause a variety of allergic reactions, respiratory diseases and even cancer.
Illness associated with dust
can be avoided or reduced by following a few safety practices. Dust collectors that
attach to woodworking machinery and shop air cleaning systems can help control
the amount of dust in your shop.
Nothing, however, is 100% effective. Merely walking through your work area can kick up the dust on your floors and send particulates airborne.
Nothing, however, is 100% effective. Merely walking through your work area can kick up the dust on your floors and send particulates airborne.
Controlling dust from
sanding is especially difficult. To keep from breathing dust, the solution is
to use either a dust mask or, better still, an air respirator designed to
filter particulates.
Product Nomenclature. The wide range of options can complicate
your decision in selecting a dust mask or respirator. These are rated according
to application and effectiveness. To determine the right type of equipment for
the job that you are doing, refer to literature from equipment manufacturers,
such as 3M, or from governmental agencies such as the National Institute forOccupational Safety (NIOSH) and OSHA.
Dust masks and respirators
are classified according to an alphanumeric nomenclature. NIOSH coding for respirators that begin with
the letter “N” are for non-oil based airborne particulates, such as wood dust. “P”
stands for oil based airborne particulates. The numbering system indicates the
efficiency of the filter. The number 95 means that the filter traps 95% of the
particulates passing through the mask. Filters with the number 100 trap 99.97%
of the particulates. Air respirator
filters are also color coded. P-100 purple cartridges will particulates,
whether oil based or not. P-100 magenta (pink) cartridges provide for protection
against a variety of gases as well as particulates.
NOTE: There
are many more products with many different color code and product designations.
Manufacturers, such as 3M, have developed extensive charts listing the
appropriate canisters for specific hazards.
Disposable dust masks are
only partially effective, which means that they are better than not wearing
anything at all. For sanding wood, a
N-95 dust mask is adequate. The best of these masks are the multiply type. The
inner ply will trap the very fine particulates. The disadvantage of a dust mask
is that no of them fits tightly enough to prevent air leakage that allows some
dust past the filter. If you decide to use a dust mask, buy the multiply type
with two elastic straps. The top strap fits above your ears and around the back
of your head. The lower strap fits around your neck to better hold the mask
tightly against your face. A good cloth mask should be adequate for short term
projects with minimal exposure to dust.
Personally, I like the added
protection of an air respirator with a P-100 filter. It may be overkill, but I
think I am worth the additional expense.
The filters trap nearly all of the dust in the air that can lead to
health problems, especially the really fine dust less than 2.5 microns that can
settle in the bottom of our lungs and do the most damage.
A half mask respirator
typically costs less than $25. Its light weight makes it comfortable to wear.
It fits tightly against your face which prevents dust from leaking past the
edges of the mask. If you have facial hair, just make sure that the mask fits
around your beard.
If you have a beard, you may
need a full face respirator. These masks provide better protection for anyone.
If you are exposed to dust for many hours during the work day, this may be your
most prudent choice. A full face respirator generally costs between $100 and $150.
A battery powered respirator
with fans to provide fresh recirculated air will cost more than $300. The advantage
of these types of respirators is that they keep the dust out of your eyes. What’s
more is that the face shield also provides some degree of eye protection. Some full
face respirators are available with replaceable film overlays that protect the
plastic from scratches. A variety of canisters and filters for vapors and
particulates are available for both half masks and full masks.
OSHA
Requirements. Whether a respirator is required or not in
your shop for a particular application, an employer is required to inform his
or her employees of mandatory OSHA information if a respirator is used. This pertains
to whether the employer provides the respirator or the employee uses his own. What’s
more, if you are an employer, you must establish and implement a written
respiratory protection program. This program must include training on how to
use, maintain and store an air respirator. An employer is also required to
determine that the employee is safe to use the equipment. You must also monitor
that this equipment is used, maintained and stored properly. The OSHA
requirements do not apply to dust masks.
Conclusion.
Dust masks and air respirators are essential in protecting you and your
employees from the health hazards associated with dust. Even if the exposure to
dust is below any exposure limits established by a government bureaucrat, it
does not hurt to wear a dust mask or air respirator. Just make sure that you
use a respirator designed for the job that you are performing and that you use
your equipment properly.
SAFETY ARTICLES
SAFETY ARTICLES
Vinyl Application Videos
Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link
Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
No comments:
Post a Comment