Carpenters face various occupational health and safety hazards including: - Risk of injury from tools, loud noise, wood dust, chemicals, and ergonomic strains. - Preventive measures include regularly inspecting tools and equipment, using proper protective gear, staying clear of machinery, and maintaining clean and well-ventilated work areas. - Employers should provide safety training and ensure safety procedures are followed, such as lock-out/tag-out protocols and reviewing incident records, to create a healthy work environment for carpenters.

1. What are some health and
safety issues for carpenters?

2. REVIEW
1. What are the different types of hazard?
2. What is Hazard?
3. What is Risk?

3. Carpenters face their own unique set of
occupational hazards. These include the
following:
 Use of various machinery and tools.
 Exposure to loud noise from machinery and
tools. · Molds, fungi and bacteria. ·
 Chemicals, solvents and other materials -
dermatitis, allergic reactions or respiratory
problems. ·
 Cancer risk from wood dust.

4.  Flammable or combustible materials, including
wood dust.
 Risk of pain or injury from working in awkward
positions, performing repetitive tasks, or lifting. ·
 Risk of entanglement of body parts into rotating
parts or machinery. · Extreme temperatures
when working outdoors. ·
 Risk of eye injury from flying particles. ·
 Working at heights. · Stress. ·
 Shift work or extended workdays

5. What are some preventive
measures for carpenters?

6.  Inspect work area, tools and equipment before work starts
for possible hazards. ·
 Keep tools and equipment in good working order. · Know
when to replace accessories on woodworking machines. ·
 Clean up wood dust regularly and maintain good
housekeeping practices.
 Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment. ·
 Disconnect the power to any machine when you have to
fix an issue or change parts. Use lock-out/tag out
procedures and/or maintain control of the power while
working on the machine to prevent accidental start-up. ·

7.  Never operate machinery without all guards in
place. · Wear appropriate eye protection, hearing
protection, footwear, and other protective
equipment for the task.
 Learn safe lifting techniques. · Avoid awkward
postures or repetitive tasks or take frequent
breaks. ·
 Be sure to stand in the correct position - always
allow for kick back. ·
 Never use your hands to run lumber through the

8.  Do not wear loose clothing around
rotating parts or machinery. · Follow a
recommended shift work pattern and
know the associated hazards.
 Install and maintain good ventilation.

9. A Healthy Shop Is a Safe Shop
The shop should be pleasant place where you will enjoy
your work. Large manufacturing companies have learned
that the shop accidents are greatly reduced when the shop
itself is well lighted and well-ventilated. The introduction of
ventilating and blower systems, which free the air of dust
and particles of dirt, have gone a long way toward reducing
accidents. Good lighting, both natural and artificial, likewise
safeguards the worker. The healthy shop is a safe shop.
After all, the protection of health is the first rule of “Safety
First in the Shop”.

10. Safety Procedures

11. Control measures should be regularly reviewed
through:
• Workplace communication and
consultation.
• Safety and health committee meetings.
• Regular equipment and work safety
checks.

12. • Incident, accident and near-miss
records.
• Injury and lost time records; and
• Repair and maintenance reports ·
Workers should be continuously
trained specifically on information
and instruction on:
• Workplace safety and health.

13. • Hazards and risks associated
with work activities.
• Safe work practices and
procedures, safe handling
(including lifting and moving),
safe operation of equipment and
the control measures in place.

14. • Safe use of plant and associated
equipment, electrical safety, safety in
confined spaces and other training
required under hazard-specific
regulations.
• Safe use of hazardous substances
relevant to the work to be performed.

15. • Correct use, fit and care of PPE, tools
and equipment and why the equipment is
needed in emergency and first aid
procedures, sun protection to prevent
skin cancer, fire protection, information
on dust, fumes and air quality; and
recognition of poorly ventilated areas
and confined spaces.