Novice builder& Shop Safety

[chuckm]

I'm addressing this topic to fellow newbies and other backyard builders. Just because you have the ability and desire to build, do not assume you are building correctly. In this instance, building correctly implies all aspects of shop safety. We over-reach. We omit protective measures at the expense of our health. (Remember Tom P) Case in point for me. A year ago I could have bought a versitle used Dust collection system, I did not. My rationale for not buying was saving money for good boat wood. We buy cabosil and other fibers thru the email, that comes in a large plastic bag too save 25$. Every time we open the big bag, aerosol powder goes up. (WEST sytem sells there's in tall thin tubes, better protection). We buy Lead-tetraoxide in powder form to make are own Red lead paint to save money so we can buy more wood. Do you even own a quality resirator? Just using a cheap face mask occasionally. What about large volume ventilation. I have'nt even got into paints and lacquers. We may not be wise enough to be building what we dream for. Many of us are building impressive multi-year endeavors. Please rethink all areas of your boat-shed, building-site for possible health concerns. Recently I found an irregular complex, star shaped mass in my lt lung. I have been tired and SOB. We started with a heart scan and this showed up. I could be related to my work in and around the public. It could be just because. It could be from my love for boat-building. But when your too tired to build; that's not good.

[hank woll]

hi chuckm-i hope it turns out to be nothing bad for you-also i lost the old thread-where is it now?-take care-hank

[gert]

Good luck with it.

We all take our health for granted till we get kicked in the butt.

How come life interfers with boat building?

[mmd]

Excellent point to be made, chuckm; I hope that your worries about your personal health are easily and sucessfully dealt with.

Folks, all the chemistry and supplies you buy have to have an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) produced for it. Often, suppliers don't ship these with small orders or unless requested. Do request them and do read them. There is some nasty stuff out there that we use carelessly every day. For instance, did you know that 3M 5200 contains toluene diisocyanate which you can become sensitized to through repeated skin contact and, when sensitized, you can suffer shortness of breath, coughing, and asthma attacks, often hours after exposure. If you have a pre-existing heart condition (a lot of us are getting older) this could be very dangerous. It can be avoided by religiously wearing the personal protective equipment (PPE's) as reccommended in the MSDS sheet. Another example (not boat related, but probably germane to many Forumites), did you know that some photocopiers will generate toxic levels of ozone if operated in a small, unventilated space? Ozone dissapates into the surrounding atmosphere in about six minutes, so avoid exposure by not staying in the copier broom closet while your job is printing out.

It would be a shame if the process of creating our recreational toys prevented us from using them.

[chuckm]

for your concern. Everything did come back ok, but it did scare me enough to start thinking responsibly. Be careful in your boatshops, Slow down and think about the air you breath and not just tool safety.;) http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/peff6ccd3445cdfdfabd40bab6819e6dc/ea17b587.jpg

[Nicholas Carey]

I grew up in Cincinnati and knew several guys (viz. Nimrod Workman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_Workman)) who suffered from black lung as a result of years in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky.

So I own, not 1, but 2 fairly high end respirators -- 3M 7500-series half-face silicone -- that I use with a filter pack suitable to the task at hand. 3M's web site has a great calculator for figuring out what filter(s) you need.

A good respirator isn't cheap -- I think I paid about USD $45 or so for my 3M 7500s -- and neither are the filters, but they're considerable cheaper than medical bills. However, these are completely field-maintainable (virtually every part is replacable), the "total cost of ownership" :D is lower than it might seem.

A good respirator is also comfortable to wear, which makes it all the more likely that you'll wear it (although I gotta say, it's a bit gross when you're working on a hot, humid day and the respirator fills up -- with sweat -- up to your lips :eek: Yuck.)

Don't forget good hearing and eye protection when needed.

[Tylerdurden]

Another example (not boat related, but probably germane to many Forumites), did you know that some photocopiers will generate toxic levels of ozone if operated in a small, unventilated space? Ozone dissapates into the surrounding atmosphere in about six minutes, so avoid exposure by not staying in the copier broom closet while your job is printing out.

It would be a shame if the process of creating our recreational toys prevented us from using them.

I built several Ozone generators back in the 90's , All were high volume as we were using them as part of a water reuse system.
Up to 36, 4' long arc tubes firing at once and a few times we had 3 or more going. I never felt we had adequate ventilation on the test runs.
Ozone has its uses but breathing it isn't one of them.

[PaulC]

Further to what MMD said, most vendors also have the MSDS sheets on-line, so they really are accessible.

[donald branscom]

for your concern. Everything did come back ok, but it did scare me enough to start thinking responsibly. Be careful in your boatshops, Slow down and think about the air you breath and not just tool safety.;) http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/peff6ccd3445cdfdfabd40bab6819e6dc/ea17b587.jpg

Good article, and very nice photo of boat and shop.
I have also been more focused on personal safety of my health.
Sometimes when I go to the hardware store i will buy some nice gloves or goggles- you know to help remind myself that one mistake can last a lifetime.

[Frederick Bolton]

Sorry to hear about your scare ChuckM and I hope it ends up a glitch in the xray machine with nothing to worry about. Being a sufferer of asthma at an early age of 7, I learned long ago that you can be in the best physical health of your life, but if the air bags ain't working, it is all for naught. And, MMD is right on target with surface(skin contact) with toxic chemicals.

I am new to boat building, but not new to hazzardous work environments. Coal mines, Dynamite blasting, tunnels, rail yards, welding shops and oil rigs to name a few. I saw the reality of this years years ago as a young man looking at guys who were 50, my age now, and thinking they were 80 because they looked like death warmed over. The thing they all had in common is they never bothered to wear resperators or those silly rubber gloves.

Like Nicholas said, spend the 45 dollars, hell mine cost 60+. Twin charcoal filtered and different canisters for different uses. Think about it, 45, 60 dollars, 100 dollars, it is cheaper than 1 emergency room visit.

So for you young guys that think you are bullet proof, trust me you are not. I have burried many a friend way to early who didn't pay attention to simple safety.

There will always be good wood around, but you only get one set of internal organs. Be safe. Spend the extra and get good equipment. You will thank yourself in 20 years.

Good thread ChuckM, we can't be reminded enough.

[Frederick Bolton]

I am under construction Larry. No pictures yet, but soon.