I have planned the safety and ventilation features for over 80 buildings, but CHAS did not pass on my comments. Perhaps I was too blunt in what I said, but that comes of having done this so many times. Right now, I'm the consultant to the architect planning a performing arts buildings at two universities even though I'm 90 and still working full time.
I will try again to say what I said at the beginning of this inquiry: You cannot safely or in compliance with OSHA regulations and NFPA standards plan a shop that does both wood and metal including welding in the same room. OSHA requires 35 feet between welding operations and woodworking equipment (1910.252(a) (iii)(1)&(2)) unless separated by floor to ceiling walls (e.g., not a welding curtain or partial wall). Wood working dusts and welding sparks are not compatible. Shop vacs and local exhaust systems for wood dusts must not be used to also collect metal dusts or particles. So the first thing you need to do is separate wood and metal operations.
Your question about an exhaust fan sounds like a question about whether you should use general ventilation (an exhaust fan for the shop as a whole) or local exhaust at each woodworking machine. Most woodworking equipment comes with a local exhaust port and the best systems are connecting these by ductwork to a local exhaust system that terminates in a wood dust collector. And that wood dust collector is best placed outdoors. If, instead, you use small cyclone or bag collectors indoors, you will need a lot of care, cleaning, and perhaps monitoring of the fine wood dusts that escape these system since the OSHA PEL for wood dust is 1 mg/m3.
And you plan to purchase a "mist collector?" What would you be doing that creates "mists" in the shop? Go over the industrial hygiene definitions of
dusts, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists. Mists are liquid-containing
droplets and the only mists I can think of that would be created in
shops would be from paints. Spray painting must also be separate
from dust collection systems in woodworking and welding sparks and fume. Spray booths are going to need a fire suppression system in the booth, usually a sprinkler head or two depending on size. And now we have a third room
involved here.
So my advice is to stop planning now and get an industrial hygienist that has done these shops many times before involved in your planning. I will provide advice for free on this forum if you ask questions. But clearly, you need someone experienced. This is not a chemistry lab where the reactions are small and enclosed in a fume hood. Here the dusts, sparks, and paint mists are out in the open. Big difference.
Monona Rossol, Chemist/Industrial hygienist, full member AIHA since 1984, currently a member of the ACGIH Committee on Industrial Ventilation, and still planning shops and specifying systems for wood and welding operations.
So you need to stop planning and plan this with an industrial hygienist.
Hello All,
I wanted to revisit this conversation. My institution is currently in the process of acquiring equipment needed to start the retrofitting process for an Engineering Lab featuring the use of a lathe/mill, drill press, bench grinder, and band saw. Given that the lab will be utilizing wood, metal, and plastic, would using a dust collector suffice for removing combustible dust associated with the woodwork? Or would it be necessary to have an exhaust fan within the room? Furthermore, does periodic testing by an Industrial Hygienist need to be performed at regular intervals? We also intend on purchasing a mist collector. Please advise as we want to be sure we have the engineering controls necessary to handle our scope of work. Thanks!
Hello,
I am reaching out to ask if anyone has expertise in Shop Safety. Specifically, my institution is looking into retrofitting a room to accommodate the following engineering equipment:
CNC, drill press, bench grinder, band saw, lathe/mill, and welder.
The shop will be equipped for working with wood, plastic, and metal. As someone who has little experience in the Shop Safety field, I’d mainly like to know any relevant safety regulations which we must abide to and any nuances with regard to selection of Personal Protective Equipment. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Best,
Filiberto Palacios, MPH, CPH | Laboratory and Research Safety OfficerDivision of Academic Affairs, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa Pacific University PO Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702-7000(626) 815-6072 Ext. 6072 | apu.edu“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
-- Best,
Filiberto Palacios, MPH, CPH | Laboratory and Research Safety OfficerDivision of Academic Affairs, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa Pacific University PO Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702-7000(626) 815-6072 Ext. 6072 | apu.edu“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
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