In recent years, as living standards have improved, the demand for wood products has surged. This growth in the wood products market has also brought about various challenges. Workers involved in the processing of wood products are increasingly suffering from occupational diseases. The availability and use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) directly affect their health and safety.
**Common Hazards in Wood Product Processing**
During the production of wooden furniture, processes like cutting, shaping, and grinding generate significant amounts of dust and noise. Additionally, painting, coating, and finishing stages involve the use of organic solvents, which release harmful chemicals into the air. In wood furniture and panel manufacturing companies, over 30 types of chemical hazards are present. Among these, four are classified as highly toxic: benzene, formaldehyde, aniline, and toluene diisocyanate. Other hazardous substances include toluene, xylene, n-hexane, butyl acetate, methyl chloride, methanol, acetone, vinyl acetate, and ethyl acetate.
Benzene is a known carcinogen that affects the nervous and hematopoietic systems, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, convulsions, aplastic anemia, leukemia, and even death. Formaldehyde is both carcinogenic and teratogenic, causing damage to multiple cell types and potentially leading to conditions like bronchial asthma, lung edema, and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Aniline primarily harms the blood and urinary systems, possibly resulting in hemolytic anemia, cystitis, and cancers of the bladder and prostate. Toluene diisocyanate mainly affects the respiratory system, causing issues like cyanosis, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema.
Exposure to wood dust can lead to respiratory illnesses such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and asthma. High concentrations of dust inhalation can even cause pneumoconiosis, a serious lung disease.
**The Current Situation**
The furniture industry is largely dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises and handicraft workshops. These businesses often face high levels of occupational risks, including exposure to wood dust, formaldehyde, benzene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and noise. According to officials from the national safety supervision department, the situation regarding occupational hazards in China’s wood furniture manufacturing sector is quite severe. Four main issues were identified: a large number of workers exposed to hazards, severe toxic substance exposure, poor working environments with minimal preventive measures, and low awareness among employees regarding occupational health.
**Enhancing Awareness and Strengthening Protection**
Companies should implement targeted protective measures. First, they must clearly understand the chemical ingredients used and their potential health risks. Raw materials should come with Chinese-language safety data sheets, and quality inspection reports should be requested. Avoiding the blind use of toxic chemicals and banning illegal or dangerous substances is essential. Replacing high-toxicity materials with safer alternatives like water-based or UV paints can significantly reduce risks.
Workers must also take personal protection seriously. Protective equipment helps block or reduce harmful substances entering the body. Those handling dust should wear dust masks, while those working with toxic chemicals should use respirators, protective clothing, gloves, and face masks. For noise exposure, earplugs or earmuffs are necessary.
Numerous tragic cases highlight the importance of preventive measures. While PPE cannot eliminate all occupational hazards, it can greatly reduce known risks. As the new year begins, we must raise our awareness of personal protection, use safety equipment properly, and work in a safe and healthy environment. Let’s strive for a happy and secure life at work!
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