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NIOSH

HC10

Control of Wood Dust From Table Saws

Table saws have been found to create significant amounts of wood dust. Workers exposed to
wood dusts have experienced a variety of adverse health effects such as eye and skin irritation,
allergy, reduced lung function, asthma, and nasal cancer. Therefore, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health” (NIOSH) recommends limiting wood dust exposures to prevent
these health problems.

BAMA conrnors

NIOSH researchers found that the wood dust generated by table saws is often poorly controlled.
To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a control system for table saws that
significantly reduced wood dust emissions.

m LOCAL EXHAUST HOOD

Table saws are widely used in many types of woodworking operations. Although they are
sometimes used only sporadically, they are found to generate significant amounts of dust. The
traditional method of dust control for table saws is exhaust through the bottom of the table.
This is often not adequate to control the large amounts of high speed dust that are generated
by the saw blade. To better control the dust, NIOSH researchers added a Local Exhaust Hood
to the table saw. (See ILLUSTRATION) Another modification involved the addition of a divider
plate in the table base to increase the exhaust velocity and aid clean out. The table exhaust
location was also relocated. The exhaust hood, when placed over the top of the blade saw,
contains the dust as it is thrown from the saw blade. Laboratory testing indicates that the
exhaust hood reduces wocd dust emissions by greater than 90 percent when it is installed on
a typical table saw. The hood is designed so that it will not interfere with the operator's
activities, is easy to install and maintain, and is inexpensive to operate. This dust control
device is not currently commercially available. Call NIOSH for more information.

*NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for preventing
work-related illness and injuries. HAZARD CONTROLS are based on research studiés that show reduced worker

exposure to hazardous agents or activities,

2 %, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Pd Public Health Service

% Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

tains National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CEATERE FOF CAST ASE CONTROL

Sapiemder 1996


ILLUSTRATION: AUXILIARY EXHAUST HOOD FOR TABLE SAWS

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SS SAW

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— DIVIDER oe _

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MOVING TABLE
For More Information

AND FENCE
To obtain more information about controlling this hazard, or for information on other occupational
health and safety issues, call NIOSH at:

SIDE VIEW
Illustrator: Daniel S. Watkins

1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) |

A technical article Controfing Wood Dust from Table Saws has been written on this subject.

This document is one in a series of seven HAZARD CONTROLS concerning wood dust control
techniques listed below that are available free upon request from NIOSH:

HC4 Control of Wood Dust from Horizontal Belt Sanders

HCS5 Control of Wood Dust from Shapers

HC6 Control of Wood Dust from Automated Routers

HC7 Control of Wood Dust from Large Diameter Disc Sanders
HC8 Control of Wood Dust from Random Orbital Hand Sanders
HC9 Control of Wood Dust from Orbital Hand Sanders

HC10 Control of Wood Dust from Table Saws

Acknowledgements

The principal contributors to this HAZARD CONTROLS are Jennifer L. Topmiller, Division of
Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Jerome P. Flesch, Education and Information Division,
NIOSH.

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. NIOSH encourages all
HAZARD CONTROLS be made available to all interested employers and workers.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-127