Woodshop Dust Fire Safety Considerations
Before processing materials, the user must verify whether harmful fumes will be generated and whether the
filter equipment of the exhaust system is suitable for the harmful materials. We emphasize that it is the
responsibility of the user to consider the national and regional threshold values for dust, fogs, and gases when
selecting the filters and the exhaust system.
(The values for the maximum workplace concentration must not be exceeded.)
Be mindful of large quantities of fuel in the form of wood and wood products, sawdust, and flammable
materials such as paints, oil finishes, adhesives, solvents, and liquid propane for internal combustion engines.
Preventing the buildup of dust is one of the key means for controlling fire and explosion hazards. The principal
engineering control technology for control of dust is exhaust ventilation. The primary work practice control is
good housekeeping.
Dust collection is best accomplished at the source-at the point of operation of the equipment, if feasible. For
many pieces of equipment, well-designed ducts and vacuum hoods can collect most of the dust generated
before it even reaches the operator.
Fine dust that manages to escape point-of-source collection can be captured from above by general
exhaust points located along the ceiling. These control technologies are effective for most equipment, except
for machines that commonly produce the very finest dust or large quantities of dust.
*These guidelines come from the U.S. Department of Labor
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