Olga Mayan, academic, Superior Institute of Maia, Portugal

Olga Mayan
Seminário de Encerramento
Museu do Oriente – Lisboa, 3 e 4 de Março de 2011
Good Practices in Wood Furniture Industry

Wood processing industry
First processing industries:
- Sawmillings
- Wood-base panels and boards (wood
veneers with chemicals).
Secondary processing industries:
- Builders' Carpentry & Joinery
- Furniture
- Pallets and Packaging
- Other wooden articles

“Wood processing industry: Portuguese data
SECTORS
Fonte: AIMMP (2008)
Companies
(number)
Workers
(number)
Turnover
( thousand €)
Sawmilling 540 4 000 358
Wood-base panels
and boards
40 1 650 393
Carpentry 1 900 10 000 342
Furniture 2 600 30 000 887
TOTAL ± 5 050 ± 50 000 1 980
FURNITURE:
- Main location: north of Portugal
(Paços de Ferreira e Paredes – 60,5% of the companies)
65%
32%
3%

FURNITURE: Portuguese data
% companies
40%
40,00%
35,00%
30%
30,00%
25,00%
20%
20,00%
15,00%
10%
10,00%
5,00%
0,00%
Fonte: AIMMP (2008)
FURNITURE
1 a 4 5 a 9 10 a 49 50 a 99 >100
Number of workers
FURNITURE:
- Important economical sector in Portugal
- Significant employment
- Mainly micro e SME

WOODWORKING / FURNITURE: Portuguese data
Health and Safety - studies
-“Occupational exposure to wood dust” – acronym: WOODEX
-“Work conditions and Health complaints in Portuguese furniture
industry” – acronym: RisMad

WOODWOKING / FURNITURE : Portuguese data - project WOODEX
Project: “Risk Assessment of wood dust: assessment of exposure, health effects and
biological mechanisms” – project WOOD-RISK
Financial support: UE - programme “Quality of Life and Management of Living
Resources”
Coordination: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health – FIOH
Sub-project: “Occupational exposure to wood dust” – project WOODEX
Main objective:
- Wood dust exposure evaluation
Methodology:
- Country questionnaire: 15 EU countries (Portugal included)
- Country questionnaire + Company survey: Finland, France, Germany and Spain
- Country questionnaire + Company survey + exposure measurements: Finland, France,
Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom and Netherlands

WOODWORKING / FURNITURE: Portuguese data – projecto WOODEX
Project WOODEX – results:
- Workers can be exposed to wood dust at all stages of wood processing
- Higher levels of exposure occurred in the Builders' Carpentry and Furniture.
Project WOODEX – Portuguese questionnaire results:
- Occupational exposure to wood dust can affect near 100 thousands of workers.
- 56% of these workers were exposed to levels of wood dusts higher than 1 mg/m3.
Wood dust exposure is an issue of concern that needs
better characterization

FURNITURE ESTUDO INDUSTRY: 2 Portuguese data – project RisMad
Project: “Work conditions and Heath complaints in Portuguese furnitire industry”– Project RisMad
Financial support: Autoridade para as Condiçóes de Trabalho – ACT
Promoter: Associação Empresarial de Paços de Ferreira (AEPF) (Commercial and Industry
Association)
Coordinator: Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (National Instiitute of Health - Porto)
Duration: 2005-2007
Objectives:
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (Medical School - Porto)
- To analyse the health and safety conditions in the furniture industry
- To assess occupational exposure to chemical, biological and physical agents.
- To investigate the occurrence of work-related symptoms among workers.
- To analyse the relationship between wood dust exposure and symptoms reported.
- To propose control measures

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
MATERIAL
Final study sample: 17 companies
Final study population: 505 workers
MEYHODOLOGY
- Health and safety conditions: companies surveys (walkthrough and questionnaire
administration)
- Exposure to environmental factors (wood dust, COV‟s, noise): air monitoring
- Work-related symptoms: interview through a physician-administrated questionnaire
(based on standardized respiratory questionnaire)

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
PROCESS FLOW CHART
Timber dryer
and boiler
Cutting operations
(to obtain furnishing
components: cutting,
calibrating, produce
angle and curvature)
Equipment: 29 different machines and hand tools
Work materials: wood; metal and plastic components;
chemicals (water-based glues and finishes, solventbased
chemicals: waxes, oils, varnishes, shellacs,
lacquers, paints)
First Assembling
(to join / to glue
furnishing
components)
Second
Assembling
(to join / to glue
furnishing
components)
Sanding
(to sand with
sanding block or
orbital sander)
Finishing
operations
(cleaning, finishing
products application,
polishing, varnish /
wax application)

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
20 workplaces
(PT) Tarefas - Máquina / Ferramenta
PT 1 CNC
PT 2 Esquadrejadora
PT 3 Seccionadora
PT 4 Calibradora
PT 5 Orladora
PT 6 Serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC
PT 7 Serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora; tupia; calibradora; fresadora.
PT 8 Plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora; tupia; calibradora; fresadora.
PT 9 Serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora; tupia; calibradora; fresadora; furador;
respigadeira; malhetadeira
PT 10 Conjuntos serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; seccionadora; retalhadora de painéis; furador; respigadeira; malhetadeira
PT 11 Plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora; tupia; calibradora; fresadora; banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 12 serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; seccionadora; retalhadora de painéis; plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora;
tupia; calibradora; fresadora; banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 13 Furador; respigadeira; malhetadeira
PT 14 Serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; seccionadora; retalhadora de painéis; banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 15 Serras; traçador; esquadrejadora; alinhadora; galgadora; CNC; seccionadora; retalhadora de painéis, plainas; desengrossadeira; orladora; molduradora;
tupia; calibradora; fresadora; furador; respigadeira; malhetadeira; máquina de coser; encoladora; prensa; guilhotina; banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 16 Máquina de coser; encoladora; prensa; guilhotina
PT 17 Banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 18 Furador; respigadeira; malhetadeira banco de marceneiro; lixadoras
PT 19 Lixadoras
PT 20 Cabines; ar comprimido, polimento
HAND TOOLS

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Safety and Health conditions:
Percent (%)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Control Measures
Good Sufficient Insufficient
Main Needs:
Fire prevention
Electrical safety
Safety of machinery
Chemical storage and
handling
Hoisting and Moving
Heavy Objects
- Fire prevention (fire extinguishers and other control devices, safety
sinalization)
- Machinery protection devices
- Chemical storage and handling
- Safety and Health training

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Wood dust exposure
Exposição a partículas de madeira (mg(m3)
Wood dust exposure (mg(m3)
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
Exposição a partículas de madeira no sector do mobiliário
PT 1 PT 3 PT 5 PT 7 PT 9 PT 11 PT 13 PT 15 PT 17 PT 19
PT 2 PT 4 PT 6 PT 8 PT 10 PT 12 PT 14 PT 16 PT 18
Postos Workplaces de trabalho
Valor limite de exposição – 1 mg/m3
TLV
Min-Max
25%-75%
Mediana Median

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Exposição a solventes orgânicos
Exposure to VOC‟s
Substances
(TLV - TWA ppm )
Paint cabinet
Volatile Organic Compounds – VOC‟s (ppm)
Diluents
cabinet
Varnishe
application
Lacquers
application
Média SD Média SD Média SD Média SD
EtHanol (1000) 7,0 8,4 5,5 2,1 4,5 3,4 1,0
AcetonE (500) 10,4 10,7 4,3 5,0 9,9 10,6 4,2 5,5
MEK (200) 5,00 7,7 13,1 14.7 8,0 7,1 10,0 19,1
Ethyl Acetate (400) 2,3 1,5 12,2 11,9 13,7 20,7 4,8 3,3
n- Butanol (50) 4,0 0,7 2,0 0.1 2,0 1,4
MIBK (20) 1,0 0,1 3,5 5,1 1,3 0,7 19,1 15,8
n –Butyl acetate (150) 4,3 4,1 2,5 0,7 6,3 5,2
Toluene (50) 10,2 17,2 30,3 19,6 15,6 18,5 8,8 10,1
Tert-Butanol (100) 3,6 3,8 22,3 18,8 15,0 11,1 13,1 21,8
Ethylbenzene (100) 2,6 3,4 8,7 7,4 4,3 5,1 2,8 3,1

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Exposure to VOC‟s
Multiple exposure index
Efeito mistura (EM)
6.5
5.5
4.5
3.5
2.5
1.5
0.5
-0.5
EM = C1/TLV1 + C2/TLV2 + C3/TLV3 + …

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Noise exposure
Workplaces
Max
Media
Min

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Work-related symptoms
Prevalence (%)
Prevalência (%)
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Upper respiratory irritation
Symptoms prevalence
Nasal dryness and obstruction
PREVALÊNCIA DOS SINTOMAS
Nosebleeds (epistaxis
Symptoms Sintomas
Red (burning) eyes
Vias aéreas sup.
Nasais
Epistáxis
Irritação dos olhos
Edema da face
Near 40% of workers reported upper respiratory symptoms,
mainly nasal obstruction, congestion and other complaints
Facial edema

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
RESULTS
Work-related symptoms
Exposição a partículas de madeira (mg/m3)
Wood dust exposure
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
Sintomatologia versus Exposição a partículas de madeira
No Yes
Não Sim
Nasal symptoms included nosebleeds
Conjunto de sintomas (nasais e epistáxis)
Min-Max
25%-75%
Mediana
Nasal symtoms were correlated with cumulative exposure to
wood dusts

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Portuguese data – project RisMad
CONCLUSIONS
Safety problems at the workplace (fire, unsafe equipment)
Workplaces at risk of exposure to wood dust, VOC‟s and noise
High prevalence of nasal symptoms associated with exposure to wood dust
Safety measures (fire , machinery, chemicals)
Measures to reduce exposure to wood dust, VOC‟s and noise
Workers training on safety and health
Urgent to implement

WOOD FURNITURE INDUSTRY - GOOD PRACTICE

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Safety: mechanical hazards (incision, traumatism)
Source: equipment (machines and tools)
Provide workplaces with safe machinery and tools (CE marking)
Keep all guards and shields in place
Conduct periodic maintenance on the machinery and tools
Manuals and instructions must be understood
Get training on machinery, power and hand tools
Wear appropriated Personal Protective Equipment

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Safety: mechanical hazards (crushing and amputation)
Source: uncontrolled movement of pieces of equipment
Fixe guards and safety distances
Minimum gap between moving components
Reduce the forces and energy levels of moving components
Warning signs (equipment area)
Proper use of machinery and tools
Inspect equipment before use

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Safety : falls
Sources: ladders, slippery floor, obstacles
Only use ladders for low risk, short duration task
Place ladder in a firm, stable surface which is a suitable strengh to keep rugs horizontal
Set ladder at a correct angle
Check the ladder for defects
Maintain a clean and orderly work area
Warning signs for obstacles

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Safety: electrical hazards (electrocution, electric shock)
Source: electrical system, electric cables, equipment energized
Assess the physical condition of the electrical system and insure that covers and guards are
in place;
Replace damaged sections of cable completely
Switch off and/or unplug equipment before cleaning or making adjustments
Take out of use suspect or faulty equipment and labelle „DO NOT USE‟ and kept secure until
examined by a competent person
De-energize electric equipment before inspecting or making repairs

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Safety: fire and explosion
Source: wood waste, flammable liquids, ignition sources (naked flames, faulty or
unsuitable electrics and impact sparks), airborne wood dust
Systems for collecting woodwaste (exhaust ventilation system), ductwork as short as possible
with a minimum number of bends)
Ensure that ducting is subject to regular internal inspections and is cleaned frequently to
remove any accumulations
Proper use and storage of flammable materials
Establish emergency plans and fire prevention plans
Multiple emergency exits , well marked and easily accessible
Emergency alarms and communications systems to promote rapid evacuation and fire fighting
response
Automatic sprinkler systems and readily accessible portable fire extinguishers

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Health hazards: exposure to chemical agents (wood dusts, VOC‟s)
Source: machining operations, particularly sawing, sanding, by machine and by hand;
using compressed airlines to blow dust off furniture and other articles before spraying
Provide good general ventilation
Provide local exhaust ventilation at woodworking machines ad portable exhaust ventilation at
hand tools
Do not use compressed air to clean work surfaces
Use a method of work that reduces the generation of dust to a minimum
Select safer materials (water-borne products)
Provide Personal Protective Equiment (eye protection, gloves, protective clothing)

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Health hazards: noise exposure
Source: equipment (machines, power tools and hand tools)
Proper equipment maintenance procedures
Partial or complete acoustic enclosure of machines
Optimize spindle speeds, tooling diameters and feed rates
Warning signs to hearing protection zones
Change tasks carried out by workers to prevent exposure
Wear hearing protection
Regular hearing checks as part of a health surveillance program

FURNITURE INDUSTRY: Good practices
Health hazards: injury to the musculoskeletal system
Source: lifting and carrying loads
Use machines wherever possible
Make loads lighter and less bulky
Provide handles to make loads easier to grasp
Use mobile racks for pallets, containers or trays
Push, pull, slide or roll a load (instead of carrying)
Use trolleys with large wheels or castors that roll freely, and with handles at about 1m.
Mechanical aids and assistive devices

THANK YOU !
Olga Mayan
olgamayan@gmail.com