Appendix B-2B
Control Measures – Woodworking Safety
Woodworking
Technique
Ingestion Hazard
Inhalation Hazard
Skin Contact Hazard
Other Hazards
Recommended Control
Measures
WOOD
HAZARDS
Hardwoods
Dusts irritating, can
cause pneumonia
Saps, lichens,
liverworts irritating
Inhalation can
cause nasal or
nasal sinus cancer
Use common hardwoods,
instead of rare, tropical ones;
use ventilation/respirator; wear
gloves/barrier cream; avoid
sensitizing woods
Softwoods
May be irritating
May be irritating
May cause nasal
or nasal sinus
cancer
Use common softwoods; use
ventilation/respirator; wear
gloves/ barrier cream; avoid
sensitizing woods
Formaldehyde highly
toxic
Formaldehyde
moderately toxic
Carbon monoxide,
hydrogen cyanide,
phenol can also be
released
Use low-formaldehyde
products; don't store large
amounts of the wood in the
shop (store in ventilated area);
dust collectors should be
exhausted to the outside
Plywood &
Composition
Board
Formaldehyde highly
toxic
B2-B-1
Table B-2B, continued
Woodworking
Technique
Wood
Preservatives &
Other
Treatments
Ingestion Hazard
Skin Contact Hazard
Other Hazards
Recommended Control
Measures
Pentachlorophenol
highly toxic,
chromated copper
arsenate extremely
toxic
Pentachlorophenol
highly toxic,
chromated copper
arsenate highly toxic
Carcinogenic;
creosote
carcinogenic; zinc,
copper
naphthenate
moderately toxic (if
ingested)
Obtain MSDSs for chemicals
used; don't handle woods
treated w/pentachlorophenol
creosote; don't machine CCAtreated wood; use zinc/copper
naphthalene; wear respirator;
use ventilation; don't burn the
wood
Dusts hazard.
Dusts hazard.
Machines noisy;
accidents from
tools; hand
damage; shock;
fire
Equip machines w/dust
collectors; place outside; wear
respirator, goggles, face shield;
vacuum sawdust; don't use
noisy machines; have machine
guards; cut away from you;
have panic buttons
Epoxy Glues
Moderately toxic
Moderately toxic
Moderately toxic
by eye contact
Cyanoacrylate
Glues
Long-term effects not
studied
Moderately toxic
Moderately toxic
by eye contact;
can glue skin
together
FormaldehydeResin Glues
Highly toxic
Moderately toxic
Highly toxic by eye
contact;
carcinogenic
CARVING &
MACHINING
WOOD
Pentachlorophenol
highly toxic,
chromated copper
arsenate (CCA)
extremely toxic
Inhalation Hazard
GLUING
WOOD
B2-B-2
Table B-2B, continued
Woodworking
Technique
Ingestion Hazard
Inhalation Hazard
Skin Contact Hazard
Other Hazards
Recommended Control
Measures
Contact
Adhesives
Other solvents
moderately toxic
Hexane highly toxic;
other solvents
moderately toxic
Other solvents
moderately toxic
Water-Based
Glues
Not significantly
toxic/slightly toxic
Not significantly
toxic/slightly toxic
Slightly toxic
Dry Casein
Glues
Highly toxic
Highly toxic
Moderately toxic
PAINT
STRIPPING
Other solvents highly
toxic/moderately toxic
Methylene chloride
highly toxic; other
solvents highly
toxic/moderately toxic
Methylene chloride
moderately toxic;
other solvents highly
toxic/ moderately
toxic
Carcinogenic;
flammable;
corrosive; bleach +
ammonia highly
toxic
Use Dimethyl adipate strippers;
use solvent-based strippers
outside; use ventilation,
respirator; avoid open flames;
wear gloves, goggles; have
eyewash fountain, emergency
shower available; avoid
torches, heat guns
PAINTING &
FINISHING
Pigments hazard
minimal, spirits,
turpentine moderately
toxic
Pigments hazard
minimal, spirits,
turpentine moderately
toxic
Mineral spirits,
turpentine moderately
toxic
Ethyl & eethyl
alcohol slightly
toxic to moderately
toxic; flammable,
combustible
Use ready-made, water-based
paints; don't eat, drink, smoke
in painting area; wear gloves,
goggles, respirator; use
ventilation; spray in spray
booth; use ethyl, NOT methyl
alcohol; AVOID glycol ethers
B2-B-3
Mineral spirits,
naptha, 1,1,1trichloroethane are
other solvents
For all glues: avoid
formaldehyde; use water-based
glues, instead of solvent-based;
wear gloves/barrier creams,
goggles, dust mask; use good
ventilation; avoid flames