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Comment by oooyay

2 years ago

> PPE is the wrong solution here. Tools that don’t produce dust are the right solution.

"Essentially no dust" is not "no dust". There are no safe levels of silica that can be introduced to your lungs.

> And one really can work all day in a pouch-style N95 mask

N95 is basically the bare minimum in terms of filters. In my shop I have a shop vac with a tornado tumbler that attaches to tools for fine wood dust and a full face P-100 mask.

This is the one: https://parcilsafety.com/products/pd100-full-face-respirator

Here's the full filter list: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0128/4037/0235/files/Full_...

It’s also worth noting that no one needs to be in the room when cutting with CNC tools. A negative-pressure room with HEPA-filtered exhaust is fairly easy to set up.

There is no safe level of sun exposure in terms of skin cancer, either (although ironically you need Vitamin D, if you don't get it from dietary sources).

They even have „sun glasses“. Definitely cool. I think PPE is a must, when you work with abrasive tools.

If you ask yourself „should I wear safety equipment“ the answer is always yes.