Occupational Health and Environmental Care
Scope
This domain tests the long-term health effects of woodwork, exposure limits, and the workshop's environmental responsibilities.
Health hazards
- Wood dust: hardwood dust is a recognised carcinogen (nasal adenocarcinoma) and causes asthma and dermatitis. Respirable particles are below about 5 µm and stay airborne for hours; control with local exhaust ventilation at the machine, general ventilation, and an FFP2/FFP3 mask for hand sanding.
- Noise: action level 80 dB(A), hearing protection mandatory at 85 dB(A), and an 8-hour limit of 90 dB(A) under the Factories Act.
- Vibration: hand-arm vibration syndrome from prolonged sander and router use; limit trigger time and use anti-vibration tools.
- Chemicals: solvents in lacquer and polish, isocyanate hardeners in PU, formaldehyde from MDF and UF-bonded plywood - read the safety data sheet, use gloves and eye protection, keep lids on.
- Ergonomics: lifting timber, repetitive planing, static posture.
Worked example
A worker spends 4 h at 95 dB(A) and 4 h at 85 dB(A). The 8-hour equivalent is 10 log₁₀[(0.5 × 10^9.5) + (0.5 × 10^8.5)] = 10 log₁₀(1.74 × 10^9) ≈ 92.4 dB(A) - above the 90 dB(A) limit, so exposure must be reduced by engineering controls or by limiting duration.
Environmental care
Dust extraction with cyclone and filter, briquetting or composting clean sawdust, segregating offcuts, low-VOC and water-based finishes, certified timber (FSC), reduced MDF use, and safe disposal of solvent and oily-rag waste.
Traps
Assuming a nuisance dust mask protects against solvent vapour; judging noise by how loud it feels; treating sawdust as harmless; pouring polish residues down the drain.