Wood Shop Personal Protection Equipment, Research Paper Example

Overview

XYZ Furniture maintains a woodshop in which employees build and repair custom furniture. There are six employees on each shift, who perform functions related to handling, cutting, and treating wood. These employees use installed tools such as table saws and drill presses, as well as portable power tools such as reciprocating saws, hand drills, and belt sanders. The shop maintains separate isolated and ventilated rooms for sanding and finishing (the latter includes the application of solvents and stripping materials, the use of paints and stains, and the application of finish coatings such as varnish, lacquer, and other materials.).  A walk-through assessment was conducted to look for possible safety violations, hazardous conditions, and other safety and health-0relatee issues.

Possible Safety Hazards

Machine Hazards

• Point of Operation
• Rotary and Reciprocating Movements
• In-running pinch/nip points

Kickbacks

Flying Chips, material

Tool Projection

Fire and Explosion Hazards

Electrical Hazards

Possible Health Hazards

Noise

Vibration

Wood dust- carcinogens

Chemical hazards –from exposure to coatings, finishes, adhesives, solvent vapors

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Safety Spectacles with side protection

Safety Goggles

Faceshields

Particulate Masks/Respirators

Walk-Through Assessment

Hazaroud Materials:

Paint Thinners, Solvernts, Paint and other materials properly labeled and stored

Employees are familiar with proper handling and stoirtage techniques

Dust/Fumes/Particulates

MSDS Posted in High-Visibility Area. Employees familiar with proper use of breathing-protection PPE

PPE available in appropriate amounts

Tool/Machine Operation

Safety Standards posted in appropriate high-visibility locations

Job Location: Table Saw

Task Description: Workers feed wood, MDF, and similar materials into saw to be cut to needed proportions

Hazard Description:

Injury from blades; nip/pinch points

Automatic guards prevent workers from touching blades; this safeguard can be purposefully or accidentally circumvented by holding guard up and away from materials as they are fed into the saw.

Hazard Controls:

Employees trained in proper use of automatic guards

Employees trained in proper feeding of machine to avoid nip/pinch injuries

Job Location: Sanding Area

Hazard Description:

Exposure to wood dust and material particulates, dust from solvents in or on wood surface

Hazard Controls:

Dust masks, respirators, safety googles, and other appropriate PPE are available

Standing Area is separated from main room and properly ventilated

Employees are trained in proper use of masks and breathing equipment

Job Location: Hand Tools and Power Tools used where and when needed

Hazard Description:

Potential for Injury from blades, bits, and other moving parts

Potential for injury from flying debris from wood and other materials

Hazard Controls:

Safety glasses, goggles, facemasks and other eye-related PPE provide and used as needed

Gloves provided and used as needed

Job Location: Paint/Finish/Stain/Sealant Application Area

Hazard Description:

Exposure to carcinogenic fumes and other hazardous fumes

Potential for eye injury from spray and splash-related incidents

Hazard Controls:

MSDS for proper handling and storage of paints, solvents, and other hazardous materials

Respirators, safety goggles, and other appropriate PPE available

Standing Area is separated from main room and properly ventilated

Employees are trained in proper use of masks and breathing equipment

Conclusion

XYZ Furniture meets all OSHA standards. Minor issues cited related to use of extension cords and associated portable tools. Recommendations for improvement and compliance in this area provided.

XYZ properly utilizes and displays signs and labels for hazard warnings related to installed equipment and portable tools

XYZ properly utilizes and displays MSDS for hazardous materials such as paints and solvents

XYZ proviuees appropriate types and amounts of PPE related to all major job functions

XYZ offers appropriate employee safety training related to personal wear (hair, jewelry), PPE (safety goggles, dust masks), use of tools (table saw, drill press, portable tools).

Related standards:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10120

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/woodworking_hazards/osha3157.html