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Woodworking operations can be very dangerous, particularly when workers use machines improperly or without proper safeguards. Machine guarding violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.212(a)(1) and 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) have recently topped the list of citations issued during OSHA inspections. 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.

To help provide a safe and healthful workplace, this eTool* describes the principal hazards and possible solutions for woodworking. This eTool is not a substitute for OSHA standards related to woodworking, << Rough Mill

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but can help clarify the regulatory language and te chnical information covered in those standards. "Sh all" and
"must" are used in this eTool to indicate when a co ntrol device or other safeguard is required by OSHA ; "should" is used to indicate recommended safe work practices. For more comprehensive information, cons ult the General Industry Standards, 29 CFR

, Part 1910 . Specific OSHA standards for woodworking are also listed in
the Additional References section of this eTool.

 Plant wide hazards/solutions associated with woodwo rking operations.

Disclaimer

eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, web-based tr aining tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. As indicated
in the disclaimer , eTools do not create new OSHA requirements.

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### >>Production

Finishing operations pose a wide range of health an d safety hazards due to the volume and physical properties o f the chemicals involved. A complete discussion of this t opic is beyond the scope of this eTool; however, a general discuss ion of common hazards and related control measures are pro vided. To best protect employees from the chemical hazards re lated to finishing operations, identify the specific chemica ls in use within the facility and consult the appropriate OSHA stand ards to determine required controls. See the additional references section for a list of the OSHA standards likely to apply to finishing operations. > General Hazards/Solutions

> Hazard Communication

> Personal Protective
Equipment

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# Page 1 of 1 Woodworking eTool: Finishing/Chemicals

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### >>Finishing/Chemicals

Finishing/Chemicals > General Hazards/Solutions

Finishing operations pose a wide range of health and safety
hazards due to the volume and physical properties of the
chemicals involved. A complete discussion of this topic is beyond the scope of this eTool; however, a general discussion of
common hazards and
related control measures are provided.

To best protect employees from the chemical hazards related to finishing operations, identify the specific chemica ls in use within the facility and consult the appropriate OSHA standards to determine required controls. See the additional references section of this eTool for a list of the OSHA standards likely to apply to fin ishing operations. >> General Hazards/Solutions

> Hazard Communication

> Personal Protective
Equipment

Hazards/Solutions

Potential Health Hazards:

 A wide range of adhesives and coating agents are us ed in finishing wood products. Many of these are hazardous to the employees' health.

Chemicals can enter the body in three ways: through inhalation (breathing), ingestion (eating), or contact with the skin. The skin readily absorbs man y chemicals such as solvents, allowing them to enter the bloodstream. Woodworkers generally are ex posed to chemicals through inhalation and
contact with the skin.

Both nitrocellulose topcoats (lacquers) and acid- catalyzed coatings (conversion varnishes) contain
solvents that are toxic to humans. The solvents mos t commonly used in these coatings include toluene, xylenes, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and methanol. The acid-catalyzed coatings contain formaldehyde. All o f these solvents have short-term effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headac hes, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and nausea. The longer-term effects include reproductive proble ms, central nervous system disorders, and damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Many of the adhesives used in finishing wood produc ts also contain toxic chemicals. The most hazardous are the solvent-based, epoxy resin, and u rea-formaldehyde resin adhesives. Many of the solvents used in the coating agents are used in the adhesives. The epoxy resin adhesives are particularly toxic. Methylene chloride, which has b een shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, often is the base for these adhesives. Som e of the components of the epoxy resins also may be cancer-causing. Epoxy resin adhesives also c an cause dermatitis and a sensitization

reaction.

Potential Safety Hazards:

 In addition to the health hazards posed by the chem icals used in finishing operations, many of the solvents, lacquers, varnishes, and coatings use d in these operations are extremely flammable. These materials can pose significant fire and explosion hazards if used in large quantities, in All DOL OSHA Advanced Search

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### www.OSHA.gov unventilated or enclosed areas, or in processes suc h as spray finishing operations that can lead to significant airborne concentrations of the material

.

Possible Solutions:

Engineering Controls

 When feasible, use automated systems for applying c oatings and adhesives. Automated systems
should be ventilated.

 Substitute the traditional solvent-based coatings a nd adhesives with coatings and adhesives that are less toxic. Hot melt, heat seal, aqueous-based, and polyvinyl acetate adhesives are good,
less-toxic alternatives to solvent-based adhesives. Higher-solids nitrocellulose, aqueous-based, ultraviolet-cured, and polyester/polyurethane coati ngs also are less toxic than solvent-based coatings.

 Provide adequate local exhaust ventilation for all coating and gluing processes. This includes manual spraying, rolling, and brushing operations, automated coating processes, and dip coating. Manual spray operations should be performed in a sp ray booth or a separate, ventilated spray area. Dip coating should be ventilated with an encl osure or capture hood. Consult the OSHA standard on dip coating (open surface tanks), 29 CFR 1910.122

- 126 , for detailed requirements on dipping operations.

 The OSHA standard for spray finishing operations, 29 CFR 1910.107 , provides detailed requirements for the design and construction of spr ay booths and rooms, air filters, velocity and air flow requirements, and the (make-up) air suppli ed to the booth. It is important to maintain the proper air flow in a spray booth. Excessive air pressure decreases the efficiency of the operation, wastes material, and may cause a backlas h of vapors and overspray into adjacent work areas. Dirty air filters can decrease the air flow in the booth. Ensure that filters are cleaned and replaced as needed. Although these provisions a re designed to prevent the occurrence of a fire or explosion in spray finishing operations, th ey also assist in protecting workers from the health hazards of the chemicals used in the operati on by removing the chemicals from the atmosphere.

 Employers shall provide employees with effective in formation and training on hazardous

chemicals. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)

Controls designed to prevent fire and explosion res ulting from the use of flammable and combustible materials in woodworking operations are
discussed in the Fire and Explosion section of this eTool. The controls discussed in this section generally are also applicable to fi nishing operations.

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### >>Finishing/Chemicals

Finishing/Chemicals > Personal Protective Equipment

Provide respirators and gloves for workers performing manual spray operations. Consult
the MSDS to determine what type of glove to use. Operators working
downstream of the objects being sprayed inside the booth must be prov ided with an air-supplying respirator. Provide dip-coat operator s with gloves, boots, aprons, and jackets, sleeves, or coats to pr otect them from possible splashes. Consult the MSDS to determi ne the appropriate material of protective clothing to prov ide. > General Hazards/Solutions

> Hazard Communication

>> Personal Protective Equipment

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