Dust Collection for Workshops - Important Safety About Wood Dust

Wood dust can cause health issues, so it's important to protect yourself with proper dust collection. Using a respirator (NOT a dust mask) is a first step. This video shows tools used to capture dust and the health hazards related to wood dust exposure. In 1994, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified wood dust as a human carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. The US Department of Labor's Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) states that wood dust can cause dermatitis, cancer, allergic respiratory effects, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and chronic bronchitis. It might sound a bit like a pharmaceutical ad, but it's important to understand that wood dust exposure has some health risks. I recently had a health checkup where my lung capacity was tested and I was sent to the hospital for detailed testing with a requisition in my hand that described me as a “woodworker with mild obstruction” - I’ll tell you more about that later. I show you my workshop and my dust collection setup. But first, it’s important to understand how our bodies are affected by wood dust, because without that, dust collection has a lot less meaning. Some dust particles are so small, your lungs will absorb them and get rid of them. Some dust particles are large enough you will cough them up to get them out of your lungs. The dust particles between these sizes get embedded in our lungs and your body covers them with scar tissue, which permanently decreases your lung capacity. Sawdust is a part of what we do as woodworkers, so how do we protect ourselves? The best guidance is to look at industry regulations that protect the health and safety of workers in the workplace. As a hobby woodworker or a one-person woodworking business, you may not be aware that these exist. I'm going to share some general guidance on how to protect yourself from the health hazards of wood dust, but I encourage you to learn about the regulations where you live. Here are some links with more information: - United States - https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/woodworking/production_wooddust.html - Australia - http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/media/publications/health-and-safety/wood-safety-kit2/wood-dust-health-hazards-and-control - Canada - http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/wood_dust.html - United Kingdom - http://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/wooddust.htm A respirator is the bare minimum of what you need to protect your lungs from wood dust. Dust masks cannot protect your lungs - they might look cool, but if it’s not NIOSH certified, don’t wear it! Collecting wood dust at the source is the industry health & safety best practice, but how do you do that? The purpose is to use dust collection to prevent it from getting into the air you breathe. A shop vacuum connected to your power tools will help capture wood dust. Only do this if you have a HEPA filter in your vacuum, otherwise the dangerous wood dust particles are now being sent airborne. Also, don't sweep or blow dust around, vacuum it up to capture it and contain it. For larger tools, you need more air flow. To get more air flow, you need a dust collection system. I bought a 1.5 HP dust collector in the late 1990’s and it’s served me well. The critical factor with a dust collector is having very fine filters. This captures the dangerous wood dust particles that can cause lung damage. I use my dust collector for my miter saw, table saw, router, and lathe... well, the lathe setup is still a work in progress... it's hard to contain that dust. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them. Remember, don’t blow dust away, capture it at the source. If you found this video useful, please share it with other woodworkers. I really want people to understand the importance of protecting your lungs from wood dust and I don’t think there’s enough knowledge about this on YouTube. Thanks to iVac (https://www.ivacswitch.com) for helping make this episode possible. Here are links to some of their dust collection products: - Automated Vacuum Switch - https://amzn.to/2oO1WCo - 3-Tool Shop Vacuum Automated Switch Kit - https://amzn.to/2P1n2HR - 3-Tool Dust Collection Switch Kit with Automated Blast Gates - https://amzn.to/2P3RrVX - 240v Remote for Dust Collectors - https://amzn.to/2MVPOqX Note: purchases made with these links help fund our video production Our woodworking plans - https://woodenitbenice.ca/collections/woodworking-plans Our 1-on-1 woodworking advice sessions - https://woodenitbenice.ca/collections/woodworking-advice-sessions See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeimprovementwoodworking 🇨🇦 Canadian link - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/homeimprovementwoodworking For more woodworking knowledge or to contact us directly, visit our website https://WoodenItBeNice.ca Hosted by Scott Bennett, owner of Wooden It Be Nice in Brooklin, Ontario #dustcollection #workshop #wooddust