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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,

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but can help clarify the regulatory language and technical information covered in those standards. "Shall" and 

"must" are used in this eTool to indicate when a control device or other safeguard is required by OSHA; 

"should" is used to indicate recommended safe work practices. For more comprehensive information, consult 

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 woodworking operations. 

Disclaimer

eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, web-based training 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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Telephone: 800-321-OSHA (6742) | TTY: 877-889-5627 

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 >>Production

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 chemicals in use within 

the facility and consult the appropriate OSHA standards 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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 >>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 chemicals 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 finishing operations.

>> General 

Hazards/Solutions 

> Hazard Communication

> Personal Protective 

Equipment

Hazards/Solutions

Potential Health Hazards:

 A wide range of adhesives and coating agents are used 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 many chemicals such as solvents, allowing them to 

enter the bloodstream. Woodworkers generally are exposed 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 most 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 of these solvents have short-term effects such 

as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and nausea. 

The longer-term effects include reproductive problems, central nervous system disorders, and 

damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. 

Many of the adhesives used in finishing wood products also contain toxic chemicals. The most 

hazardous are the solvent-based, epoxy resin, and urea-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 been shown to cause cancer in laboratory 

animals, often is the base for these adhesives. Some of the components of the epoxy resins also 

may be cancer-causing. Epoxy resin adhesives also can cause dermatitis and a sensitization 

reaction. 

Potential Safety Hazards:

 In addition to the health hazards posed by the chemicals used in finishing operations, many of 

the solvents, lacquers, varnishes, and coatings used in these operations are extremely flammable. 

These materials can pose significant fire and explosion hazards if used in large quantities, in 

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www.OSHA.gov 

unventilated or enclosed areas, or in processes such 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 coatings and adhesives. Automated systems 

should be ventilated. 

 Substitute the traditional solvent-based coatings and 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 coatings 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 spray booth or a separate, ventilated spray 

area. Dip coating should be ventilated with an enclosure 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 spray booths and rooms, air filters, velocity and 

air flow requirements, and the (make-up) air supplied 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 backlash 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 are designed to prevent the occurrence of a 

fire or explosion in spray finishing operations, they also assist in protecting workers from the 

health hazards of the chemicals used in the operation by removing the chemicals from the 

atmosphere. 

 Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous 

chemicals. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) 

Controls designed to prevent fire and explosion resulting 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 finishing operations.

 

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Telephone: 800-321-OSHA (6742) | TTY: 877-889-5627 

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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 provided with an 

air-supplying respirator. Provide dip-coat operators with gloves, 

boots, aprons, and jackets, sleeves, or coats to protect them 

from possible splashes. Consult the MSDS to determine the 

appropriate material of protective clothing to provide.

> General Hazards/Solutions

> Hazard Communication

>> Personal Protective 

Equipment 

 

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