HC4

Control of Wood Dust From Horizontal Belt Sanders

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The use of horizontal belt sanders in woodworking creates 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.

PAM comrnors

Surveys by NIOSH researchers indicated that wood dust from the horizontal belt sanders used in
woodworking was not effectively controlled. As a result, researchers developed an inexpensive
auxiliary ventilation system for the horizontal belt sanders that significantly reduced wood dust
emissions into the workroom.

@ AUXILIARY VENTILATION SYSTEM

Typically, belt sander emissions are controlled only by an exhaust hood covering the drive pul-
ley. The new ventilation system reduced wood dust emitted into the workroom by more than
75% and can easily be built into new belt sanders or added to existing ones. The system con-
sists of two devices: a narrow Auxiliary Hood and an Air Jet Stripper. (See ILLUSTRATION)
The Auxiliary Hood is located between the belt surface and the worktable downstream from
the sanding operation. The Air Jet Stripper is located inside the main exhaust hood. These two
devices, in combination with the main exhaust hood, decrease wood dust in the workroom
without affecting the sanding operations. In addition, the Jet Stripper cleans the belt, reducing
the frequency of belt changes. 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.

sor,
e ‘% ~—_‘U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
j Public Health Service
8 Centers for Dissase Control and Prevention
i National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CENTERS FOR DISEASE DOMTROL

Seplember 1996


ILLUSTRATION: TOP VIEW OF BELT SANDER Wi Y VENTILATION SYSTEM

AUXILIARY HOOD JET STRIPPER

VISPSSS SSS

MAIN EXHAUST HOCD
WORK PIECE WORK TABLE
Illustrator: Daniel S, Watkins

For More Information

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

[ _ 1-800-35-NIOSH (1 ~800-356-4674)

A technical report Contro! of Wood Dust from Horizontal Belt Sanding, Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc.
J.46(10):567-577(1985), has been published on this subject. Also, a videotape on this topic
Innovations in Belt Sander Ventilation, Tape #180, 8 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

HG6 Control of Wood Dust from Automated Routers

HC7 Control of Wood Dust from Large Diameter Disc Sanders
HCB8 Control of Wood Dust from Random Orbital Hand Sanders
HC8 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.

I 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. 96-121