Timber iQ August- September 2018 // Issue: 39 | Page 64
CONTRIBUTORS - TALKING TIMBER
In light of firefighting techniques, all sources of ignition should be eliminated from the working environment.
Continued from page 60
adhesive application. Other methods include using local
exhaust ventilation in areas with high chemical vapour
concentrations such as manual spraying, rolling and
brushing, as well as dip coating and other automated
coating processes.
Manual spraying and dip coating should be undertaken
in separate ventilated areas, using enclosures or capture
hoods supplemented by the use of PPE such as masks and
respirators. When necessary, workers should have adequate
protective clothing to prevent chemical contact with the
skin, eyes or via inhalation.
Another hazard is dust – wood dust inhalation may cause
irritation, asthma, allergic reactions, dusty lungs, as well as
nasopharyngeal cancer among wood processing workers.
The potential hazard to human health depends on the type
of wood being processed, with the wood from some tree
species having a more serious potential impact than others,
including hardwoods such as oak, beech, teak, walnut,
mahogany and birch.
Dust exposure should be prevented and controlled
through the adoption and maintenance of effective
extraction and supplemented by the use of PPE such as
masks and respirators, as necessary.
Wood products manufacturing, particularly when
machining dried wood, may produce fine combustible dust
which can be explosive in the air. Where solvents are used
62 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 //
for the application of coatings by spraying, there is a high
risk of solvent explosions.
Regular housekeeping is needed to ensure that dust is
removed from the facility, including a biannual blow down
or vacuuming of the entire facility, namely in the roof
rafters. One should eliminate all sources of ignition from
the working environment, including the elimination of
naked flames, such as burner flames, welding or cutting
torches, matches, cigarette lighters and heaters.
The control of hot surfaces, such as operating internal
combustion engines, frictional sparks, heated wires,
glowing metals and overheated bearings, is crucial. The
control of portable battery-powered equipment, such as
radios and mobile phones, is also important. The safe use of
certain chemicals, for example, peroxide hardening
products which can be self-heating or result in spontaneous
combustion, is paramount.
Installing spark detection and dousing systems in dust
control equipment is key, while electrical grounding of
conveyors and dust control systems to prevent the
discharge of static electricity is equally critical.
Another method used is the utilisation of explosion
relief panels on all dust moving equipment and in
buildings. Mills and plants should be equipped with
adequate and accessible firefighting equipment, including
automatic sprinkler systems. Workers should be trained in
emergency evacuation procedures as well as first line of
attack firefighting techniques.