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Control of Wood Dust From Large Diameter Disc Sanders

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The use of large diameter disc sanders 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 tung 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.

Surveys by NIOSH researchers found that wood dust created by large diameter disc sanders is

often not effectively controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed a ventilation con-
trol system that significantly reduced wood dust emissions into the workroom.

g@ JET STRIPPER SYSTEM

The standard dust control arrangement for disc sanders usually consists of an exhaust hood
under the worktable that covers the lower half of the disc and a cover around the back of the
sanding disc above the worktable. Even with this control, significant amounts of wood dust are
emitted into the workroom. A Jet Stripper System was designed to improve dust control.
(See ILLUSTRATION) The Jet Stripper supplies pressurized air to the disc inside the haod.
The jet of high speed air blows the dust particles out of the disc air layer so they can be cap-
tured by the exhaust hood. Also, the jet removes the dust particles embedded in the sanding
disc. The Jet Stripper System reduced wood dust emissions by an average of 60 percent in
laboratory studies. The advantages of this control are that it does not interfere with the oper-
ator, requires minimal maintenance and is inexpensive to operate. The Jet Stripper may also
extend the life of the sanding discs by dislodging the wood dust from the sanding surface. 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.

nt Fae,

* %,

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

i Public Health Service

& Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

% National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

eee,
Seplemoer 1996


ILLUSTRATION: DISC SANDER WITH JET STRIPPER INSTALLED IN EXHAUST HOOD

DISC SANDER

ln WORK TABLE

JETS

EXHAUST y
Hoon 7.
SLL LEG LE EL LL LL LEO LE LS |
—Q cots
PRESSURIZED AIR

JET STRIPPER
LOCATION

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U.S. Patent 5099616° Illustrator; Daniel S. Watkins

—

*For other than single use, contact NIOSH Technology Transfer Coordinator (513/841 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:

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

A technical article Confro! of Wood Dust from Dise Sanders, Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg.
6(11):938-944(1991), has been published on this subject. Also, a videotape New Ventilation
System for Disc Sanders, Tape #206, 4 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

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, 96-124