I've been doing woodworking for about four months now, and despite using a respirator and safety glasses, I'm still having issues with sawdust. Every time I finish working, my sinuses are clogged, and I can feel sawdust at the back of my throat. It's especially bothersome when I'm sanding with a palm sander as it seems like the safety glasses are directing the dust into my eyes. How can I improve this situation?
4 Answers
Make sure your palm sander is connected to a vacuum system. This will significantly reduce the amount of dust that's kicking up while you sand and help you breathe easier.
If you’re still inhaling dust even with a respirator, it might be a fitting issue. Ensure your respirator seals properly against your skin. Also, consider a hood-style respirator if you have facial hair. Additionally, setting up air filtration units can help reduce airborne particles in your workspace, and remember to ventilate your area by opening windows or using fans when you can. A proper dust collection system will help get rid of the really fine particles.
Honestly, you might want to try using hand tools for some tasks. They create less dust compared to power tools and could help keep your workspace cleaner.
Consider investing in goggles that seal around your eyes and using nose plugs. This can help create a better barrier against sawdust entering your eyes and nose while you're working.
I didn’t realize that a proper seal was so important! I'll check my respirator.