• 
  • Carpentry
  • Plumbing & Wiring
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Building Codes
  • Interior Finish
  • Foundations & Masonry
  • Building Plans
  • DVDs
  • Magazine Archives
• 
  • Digital Issues
  • Member Home
• 
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Gift Subscription
  • Current Issue
  • Magazine Extras
  • Magazine Index
  • Advertiser Marketplace

The Daily Fix

Dust Shmust-- Just get 'er done!

john ross, Web Producer

6 users recommend

Half-face respirator with HEPA filter

N100 disposable respirator

Half-face respirator with HEPA filter

Add Comment
Print

When I started in construction and during my tenure, none of the job bosses, foremen, or lead carpenters I worked with routinely wore hearing, eye, and respiratory protection on the job.

Some were better than others but usually in the short run (and like it or not that’s where most of us live) the focus on a paycheck easily shuts out the distraction of the possibility that sometime in the future you might be saying "Dang! If only I’d worn my respirator that one day I wouldn’t have lung cancer."

Bottom line- respirators are hot. Usually it’s back in the truck (probably under the seat). Plus I’ve got a week-old beard going so how much good will it do anyway?

My personal hang up is hearing protection. Tinnitus (constant ringing in your ears) sounds like a nightmare.  One guy I knew lost thirty pounds and had to take a leave of absence after the onset of tinnitus.

There are two points here. One, each of us will decide what risks we are comfortable taking on the job site (usually our decisions bear little relation to what the actual risks are). And two, good hindsight is an ugly brother next to good foresight.

I’ll end with a safety sermon from Tom O’Brien from an article published in FHB#180:  

We’ve known for years about the dangers posed by dusts such as lead and asbestos (for information on working safely with lead, read my article "Lead-Paint Safety at Home and on the Job" from FHB #150, pp.66-73). But recent medical studies show that prolonged exposure to sawdust and silica (the dust that’s released when dry-cutting concrete and stone also can have serious health consequences. Sawdust has been linked to cancer, and silica has been proved to cause a serious respiratory condition known as silicosis.

Anyone who works in a dusty environment needs adequate respiratory protection. But a paper mask held in place by a single rubber band won’t cut it. Professionals routinely exposed to high levels of dust should wear a properly fitted half-face respirator that is equipped with HEPA filter cartridges.

Do-it-yourselfers or workers who aren’t often exposed to dust have another choice: 3M’s N100 disposable respirator is as comfortable as a paper mask, but provides serious protection. An N100 respirator can cost as much as $10 (www.3m.com), but if it’s cared for properly, it can be reused for months.

Half-face respirator with HEPA filter		N100 disposable respirator

Read the complete article... Dust Control Nobody will notice your flawless miters if the home is covered in filth. Here's how to clear the air and contain the mess. by Tom O'Brien

Add Comment Print

Paper Countertops Look and Feel Like Stone

Back to List

Can I justify the luxury of instant hot water?

Comments (2)

JohnWilliams writes: Great article John. Not many people mention the health risks of the construction crews. It is also important to note the safety of the clients, especially when dealing with asbestos and lead dust. Before I got my RRP certification I used to struggle with tape and poly-sheeting until I bought a ZipPole System. If I had any idea how great it was I would have bought it a long, long time ago. We used it to block off a staircase, some windows and a door and basically created a nearly air-tight space. I cut all the molding in that room but no dust spread anywhere inside the house. When my customers came back from their trip all they saw was my finished work - no mess whatsoever. Check out more info here: http://zipwall.com/lp/zippole.html
Posted: 7:44 pm on February 23rd

JFink writes: I'd just like to add that I've been most likely to wear my safety gear when I've shopped for equipment that fits well and is comfortable. If your safety glasses are bulky and hurt the bridge of your nose, you're not going to wear them. If your ear muffs make your ears sweaty, you're not going to wear them. Spend a few extra dollars to get safety gear that you can put on and forget about.
Posted: 9:08 am on May 11th

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.