CONTROLS

HC6

Control of Wood Dust From Automated Routers

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Automated routers 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.

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NIOSH researchers found that the wood dust generated by automated routers is generally not
adequately controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a new control
system that substantially reduced dust emissions.

@ JET STRIPPER SYSTEM

Automated routers, consisting of a moving router head and table, are capable of routing in any
direction. These high speed machines generate substantial amounts of wood dust. Generally,
the wood dust is controlled by a local exhaust system located at the router head. Despite this
control, significant amounts of wood dust are emitted into the workroom. A computer controlled
Jet Stripper System was developed to contral these emissions. (See ILLUSTRATION) This
system consists of 24 jets combined into 8 operational units uniformly located around the
inside periphery of the brush holder. The Jet Stripper and brush surround the router bit. The
jets are supplied with pressurized air and are activated by pneumatic valves as needed. The
air slows down the dust particles so they can be collected by the local exhaust hood. Testing
shows that this system reduces wood dust emissions by 90 percent. The Jet Stripper does not
interfere with the operator, requires minimal maintenance and is inexpensive to install and
operate. This control can also be used with conventional, one-dimensional routers with some
modification. 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 studies that show reduced worker

exposure to hazardous agents or activities.

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- % U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

a Public Health Service

% Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CENTERS FOF DISEATE GOMTROL

September 1996


ILLUSTRATION: JET STRIPPER SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED ROUTERS

- PRESSURIZED AIR

an EXHAUST
~ WORK PIECE
PRESSURIZED AIR
ROUTER BIT
U.S. Patent 4986703* Illustrator: Daniel S. Watkins

*For other than single use, contact NIOSH Technology Transfer Coordinator (519/841 4321).

For More Information

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

[_1-800-36-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)

A technical article Controf of Wood Dust from Automated Routers, Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg.
5(7}:419427(1990), has been published on this subject. Also, a videotape New Veniilation
System for Automated Routers, Tape #204, 5 minutes, may be borrowed free of charge.

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

HC5 Control of Wood Dust from Shapers 7

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. 96-123