Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
I am a summer intern for a metal fabrication company that manufactures doors. I work in a warehouse-type environment with cutting machines and CNC machines that are used to cut the metal. As a CNC machine operator, should I be concerned about breathing in the air? I have asked my mentor and he does not think there are any severe concerns besides some allergies such as sneezing (I have noticed my allergies worsening).
There is also no symbol indicating for a the use of respirators on the CNC machine itself. It only indicates safety goggles, gloves, and a helmet, all of which all employees wear.
I will be using a basic dust mask today to see if it helps with the allergies. Is a dust mask enough for this type of work? What other types of masks should I I consider?
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
The state of CA states that virtually everything causes cancer - look for the warnings in all you tooling catalogs and websites.
Chris D
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Your lungs are designed to process air and not a lot else (maybe a bit of natural dust etc). You do not specify what material is being processed but be aware any composite materials (MDF, chip-board, plywood) containing bonding chemicals (glues) are far worse than natural materials such as real timbers. It's unlikely humans were designed to inhale metal based particles. Most wood processing machinery instruction manuals warn to wear breathing protection, especially those that produce fine dust particles such as sanding equipment.
Wear breathing protection.
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Metal shavings - Probably not since these are not airborne particles.
Metal dust - Most definitely can be. For example Cadmium which is plating found on a lot of bolts is a carcinogen and OSHA has specific requirements for welding, cutting, grinding, etc . Also lungs are made to process air, not dust of any kind. If you are concerned then wearing a dust mask is probably prudent.
https://www.thelunghealthinstitute.c...-dust-hurt-you
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Are they cutting wet with coolant, or dry. Are the doors just plain steel, already primed/painted or another rust preventative coating? Plain steel chip hazard is pretty much just skin abrasion.
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Thanks for the replies. I wore a respirator today and have to say that my allergies are definitely much better. I am not sneezing and sniffling like crazy after work.
My mentor said nothing is airborne which is why he thought that the air wouldn't be harmful. Yes, we do use coolants while machining.
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Metal is not a hazard (with obvious exceptions such as cadmium etc).
But those coolant oils are a KNOWN hazard. They cause dermatitis with skin contact; I would imagine the vapours are also a hazard. The bacterial growth they develop may be even worse.
I switched to MQL using, basically, olive oil. A 1 L bottle lasts me for years.
Cheers
Roger
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Hi guys. I'm in industrial hygienist and can answer specific questions about the hazards of the materials you may be exposed to as well as the types of respirators that would be effective. Feel free to PM me or ask on the forum.
There are many metals that are hazardous. Cadmium is one of them. Exposures to certain metals can cause cancer. Metal sensitization can occur as well.
Re: Are Metal Shavings / Dust Hazardous?
Anyone know if cast iron dust is particularly harmful?
We often use coolant (Hocut795 @5%) when milling it, but even then there is still a mixture of coolant mist and cast iron dust. There is no system for ventilation on the machine.