Thread: Safety in the workshop: Dust

I learned a safety lesson yesterday I want to share for those, who like me, are beginning their journey into razors and scales in the workshop.

I live in an apartment. I've been doing my work on scales at the breakfast table and on the deck, though much more on the breakfast table. I use the cheap little dust masks and clean up well.

My two most recent scale projects are with micarta and G10. I got a lot of G10 dust in my apartment over the weekend. Was doing Internet research on how to finish it and learned that G10 dust will mess human lungs up bigtime, including cancer. I also learned that most of the dust we create is bad. Cotton from buffing wheels is another really bad one.

Having said that, dust from micarta, resin and everything else is to be avoided.

My corrective action plan:

1. I researched and ordered a proper 3M half face respirator with particulate filters. I'll always where it when exposed to dust.

2. Remember how Granny on the Beverly Hill Billy's used to do "Spring Cleaning". I've never done that before, but I'm doing it now

3. No dust inside from anything other than wood or horn, and those two things very sparingly.

Any other input would be appreciated.!