Hazardous substances:

Be aware, assess and protect

Wood and Furniture Sector

SLIC
Senior Labour
1 Inspectors
Committee Financed by the European Union
 Operations involved in processes for treating wood and producing furniture expose workers
to various hazardous substances, such as wood dust (during preparation, machining, assembly
and other operations) and organic solvents.

This exposure represents a risk factor for the health of workers, whether in terms of inhalation,
absorption through the skin or ingestion.

What should employers do to assess the risks of workers exposed to these substances
and to decide on the necessary prevention measures?
1st Identify the dangers and assess the types of risk resulting from operations
carried out in their workplace;
2nd S elect the prevention or risk control measures they should use;
3th A lways re-examine whether these measures remain adequate and whether any
new risks have emerged.

WHAT MEASURES?
These may be collective protection, work organisation or Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).

How are collective protection measures implemented?

■B y fitting specially adapted mechanisms to the work equipment or premises (see
examples 1,2,3 and 5)

NOTE
 hen designing premises or purchasing equipment, you should ensure that safety
W
features are fully integrated.

How can work be organised in order to eliminate or reduce risk?

■B
 y reducing the exposure time of each worker, exposing fewer workers to risk,
removing risks from areas where workers are present and storing products and
materials correctly.

What kind of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used?

■ I t should be borne in mind that PPE is always an additional or supplementary
measure. The best solutions are those which opt for fully integrated safety,
collective protection or work organisation measures.
■T  here are various types of PPE, such as masks, gloves, goggles, aprons and boots.
Consult the product label or safety data sheet to find out which should be used
(see final page).

Is there any document that provides information on the substances used?

■Y
 es. You can find detailed information in the safety data sheet. Additionally, the labels
on the packaging of each product contain information that should be read carefully.

2
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DUST
Various operations in the wood industry cause dust to accumulate.
Repeated exposure to wood dust may cause cancer of the nasal cavity. Dust may also cause
irritations and lesions on the skin and mucous membranes and allergies.

It is important to prevent and control risk. How?

Example 1 – Localised exhaustion

No. Why? There is no dust extraction. Yes. Why? The dust is contained and
Workers are exposed to dust particles. removed as it forms and is not dispersed into
the working environment.

Example 2 – Localised removal using filters

No. Why? Workers will be exposed to dust Yes. Why? The equipment is fitted with
if the equipment is not fitted with filters to protective sleeves or curtains to contain
remove it. the dust and remove it from the working
environment.

Wood and Furniture Sector 3

 Example 3 – Vacuuming incorporated into work equipment

No. Why? The worker is exposed to dust, Yes. Why? Work is carried out in a chamber,
which is not removed. The mask does not the workbench has localised vacuuming and
offer sufficient protection. there is a grid and vacuuming for the floor.
Workers wear a mask.

What are the recommended prevention measures?

■ Introduce collective protection and barriers to prevent the release of dust,
together with sufficient technical resources to contain the dust;
■ Limit access to risk areas;
■ Limit the number of exposed operators;
■ I nform and train workers with regard to the existence of risks and safe working
practices;
■P  rovide adequate health surveillance to workers, according with risk evaluation results;
■ Carry out regular checks to ensure that vacuuming systems are working efficiently
■ Keep workplaces clean.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCTS USED

Most chemical substances contained in the products used to treat wood are harmful to health.
Exposure to these substances may cause acute and chronic intoxication.

It is important to prevent and control risk. How?

Example 4 – When handling glues and solvents, keep containers closed

No. Why? The containers are open and have Yes. Why? The container has a label with
no labels. No one knows what they contain. information on its contents and is closed.

4
 What are the recommended prevention measures?
■ Ensure that there is adequate ventilation to keep concentrations of solvent
vapours below the exposure limits;
■ Apply products near localised vacuuming systems;
■ Avoid any concentration of inflammable or explosive substances;
■ Keep the containers for products containing solvents closed when not in use to
prevent evaporation;
■ Use products in small quantities;
■ Use protective respiratory equipment (masks);
■ Use protective equipment for the eyes and face;
■ Use protective equipment for hands (gloves);
■ Do not leave any part of the body uncovered;
■ Inform and train workers with regard to the existence of risks and safe working
practices.

Example 5 - Working in ventilated booths

No. Why? Work takes place in an open area Yes. Why? Work takes place in a ventilated
involving the exposure of a large number of booth with a water screen and the worker
workers, there is insufficient ventilation or is wearing a mask, gloves and protective
vacuuming and workers have no PPE. clothing.

What are the recommended prevention measures?

■ Provide adequate ventilation by using a general extraction system;
■ Use equipment that protects the respiratory organs, hands and body if it is not
possible to keep concentrations of particles and vapours below the exposure
limits;
■ Inform and train workers with regard to the existence of risks and safe working
practices.

Wood and Furniture Sector 5

 Example 6 – Organization of products in the warehouse

No. Why? The containers are in poor condition, Yes. Why? The containers are labelled and
have no labels and are randomly stacked arranged in a specific, ventilated and marked
together. area, which has a holding pond.

What are the recommended prevention measures?

■ Organise the storing;
■ Ensure that the layout allows for the compatibility of products;
■K eep packages sealed, away from direct sunlight and any sources of ignition, in a
dry, well-ventilated place at room temperature;
■E nsure that warehouse floors are waterproof and lowered, with a holding pond so
that liquids cannot escape outside in the event of any accidental spillage;
■ Ensure that all containers are duly labelled;
■ Ensure that all users have access to the material safety data sheet.

RECEPTION OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Reception is the first stage in the handling of chemical products.

When you receive a product, you should:

■ Identify, register and control its arrival;
■ Check the condition of the packaging (for any damage or missing labels);
■ Check the information on the label;
■ Check the safety data sheet supplied with the product.

All containers for hazardous products or preparations must be duly labelled.

Labels must be legible and bear the following information:

■ Name of product;
■ Identity of manufacturer
■ Importer or distributor;
■ Risk warnings;
■ Safety warnings;
■ Hazard pictograms or symbols.

6
HOW DO YOU READ THE LABEL?

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS (in accordance with Annex II of EC Directive 67/548)

IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCT
(Substance or preparation)
NOTE: In addition to symbols indicating toxic,
harmful and irritant substances, you may also COMPOSITION
find carcinogenic, sensitisation, mutagenic (List of hazardous
or reproductive toxicant symbols identified
by means of a characteristic R phrase.a
substances contained
in the preparation,
T F according to concentration
and toxicity)
ABCDE-33
DESCRIPTION Contains...
OF RISK
(R phrases) Toxic Highly
(In accordance with flammable
Annex III of EC R 11-23/25:
XXX Plc
Directive 67/548) Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed ABY St.
Highly flammable
Tel: ...
S7-16-24-45:
PREVENTION Keep container tightly closed NAME OF ENTITY
Keep away from sources of ignition – no smoking
MEASURES RESPONSIBLE
Avoid contact with skin
(S phrases)
In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice FOR SALES
(In accordance with immediately (show the label where possible) (Name, address and
Annex IV of EC phone number)
Directive 67/548)

Which symbols are used on labels?

In Europe, dangers are identified in accordance with Annex II of EC Directive 67/548.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 – Highly flammable (F) and Extremely 5 – Harmful (Xn)

flammable (F+)
6 – Irritant (Xi)
2 – Toxic (T) and Very toxic (T+)
7 – Explosive (E)
3 – Corrosive (C)
8 – Dangerous for the environment
4 – Oxidising (O)

The new classification system for hazard symbols shown below, developed in order to create
the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling, may already appear on some
labels.

Wood and Furniture Sector 7

 Physical hazards
1 – Explosive / Self-Reactive / Organic peroxides
2 – Flammable / Self-Reactive / Pyrophoric / Self-heating
/Emits flammable gas / Organic peroxides
3 – Oxidiser
4 – Gas under pressure
5 – Corrosive

Health Hazards
1 - Acutely toxic
2 - Irritant / Skin sensitisation / Acutely toxic / Narcotic effect /
Respiratory tract irritant
3 – Carcinogenic / Respiratory sensitisation / Reproductive toxicant /
Specific organ toxicant / Mutagenic / Respiratory toxicant
4 – Corrosive

Environmental hazards

1 – Toxic for the environment

Examples only. For further information, consult the labels.

What are safety data sheets?

The safety data sheet enables you to identify whether hazardous
chemical agents are present in the products used and helps you assess
the risks to the health and safety of workers resulting from the use of
these agents.
When delivering a hazardous substance, or even before doing so, every
manufacturer, importer and/or distributor must send the user a safety data sheet containing
the information needed to protect human life and the environment.
The information contained in the safety data sheet must be written in the official language of
the Member State in which the workplace is located. If it is not the case, you should demand it
from your manufacturer or supplier.

For further information, please contact:

8
The ACT is solely responsible for the contents of this publication