Abstract
A new system for controlling wood dust created by the use of hand held sanders was reported. Preliminary studies demonstrated that sanders with no controls, or those equipped with aspirators, generated 521,00 and 180,000 particles per 2.5 liters in 20 seconds, respectively. Air velocity ranged from 1.0 meter/second (m/sec) to 11.1m/sec for an uncontrolled sander, and was 1.0m/sec for an aspirator controlled sander. The new control system consisted of additional exhaust ventilation and the use of a sander pad with curved slots. Laboratory measurements comparing the generation of wood dust particles using the new equipment and aspirator controlled systems were taken 12 times, at different positions relative to the sander, 1 minute after the start of sanding. An average relative reduction in wood dust of over 90% was seen using the new control system. Field testing conducted on wooden chests being sanded as they moved along a conveyor belt demonstrated an average relative reduction in dust production of 80% using the new system. The authors conclude that the control system presented is useful in significantly reducing dust emissions, does not interfere with the worker, can be used with both air and electrically powered sanders, and is inexpensive to implement.
