Woodworking Industry

WOODWORKING INDUSTRY, includes both productions for the initial processing of wood (sawmills, plywood factories) and for the factory manufacturing of products and materials (furniture, musical instruments, building materials, parquet, carriage-making, and many others), as well as craft and cottage industries (picture frames, dolls, sticks, umbrellas, boxes). Wood processing includes three main operations: preparation of material, processing it, and manufacturing products.-The initial preparation of material is usually done mechanically-first on saw frames, where wood is sawn into boards, and then on various machines (circular saws, band saws, planing machines, milling machines, drilling machines, etc.). These machines present a very great danger to workers and cause a large number of accidents, often resulting in permanent disability (partial or complete). In terms of the number of accidents and severity of outcomes, mechanical wood processing stands among the first places among other industries. According to data from the NKT USSR for 1926 on accidents with loss of working capacity in large industry, the woodworking industry was in first place (282.6 cases per 1,000 workers with an average of 111.8%₀). Circular saws cause the largest number of accidents, followed by planing machines, and then milling machines. In 90% of all cases, fingers are affected, then hands and forearms.-The second main hazard of the W.I. is dust, released in significant quantities on these machines. The most dust is released when working on circular and band saws. Hard varieties of wood (beech, oak, walnut, pear) release much more dust than soft varieties (pine, birch, spruce); dust from hard varieties of wood is much finer and presents greater danger.-Among workers engaged in mechanical wood processing, diseases of the respiratory tract and conjunctivitis are very common. Studies conducted by Menzel in 1923, confirmed in 1926 by Bekritsky, showed that as a result of exposure to wood dust, characteristic changes develop-simple atrophic catarrh of the nasopharynx (according to Menzel-67%, according to Bekritsky-among those who worked more than 10 years-73% of those examined). Of the large number of woodworking professions, carpenters represent the largest group. From constant raising of the shoulder girdle during work, they develop characteristic changes: high-lying, horizontally directed clavicles and flattening of the upper part of the chest. Due to constant pressure on the left leg, flat feet, varicose veins, and ulcers of the shin often develop on it. On the palms, from constant pressure of tools (jointer, plane), characteristic extensive calluses develop. Under these, purulent processes with prolonged course often develop in the subcutaneous tissue. Carpenters also very frequently have minor injuries to fingers and hands. To a large extent, carpenters also suffer from dust (see above). Of the professional hazards of other professions, the following should be noted: carpenters suffer from bad weather and often injure their shins with axes. Parquet workers work in cold rooms with draft; from constant kneeling, they develop inflammation of the prepatellar bursae. Turners inhale large amounts of fine dust. For workers engaged in final finishing of wooden products, the following hazards can be noted: during grinding, a large amount of fine dust is released, which contains, along with wood particles, also emery or glass particles. Polishers, varnishers, painters, and finishers are exposed to various chemical substances: paints, some of which have a poisonous or irritating effect on the skin (potassium bichromate, azo dyes, nitro- and nitroso compounds, many aniline dyes, mainly yellow and orange); methyl alcohol or pyridine, which are used to denature alcohol used for dissolving shellac (polish); various varnishes, which contain linseed oil, turpentine, gasoline, rosin, sometimes lead and other, often harmful substances.-From constant friction and frequent soaking, calluses and cracks develop on the hands of workers in these professions, which often become infected; from the action of the mentioned chemical substances, dermatitis often develops, sometimes with characteristic skin discoloration. Finally, there is another specific professional hazard-working with poisonous varieties of wood from tropical countries, used for especially valuable or special crafts. These include: ironwood, ebony, Indian rosewood, redwood, satinwood, atlaswood, South African beech and many others (over 50). These varieties of wood cause in predisposed persons allergic phenomena: severe skin lesions (often resembling erysipelas) and mucous membranes; other varieties (satinwood) also have a general poisonous effect. In German and English literature, quite a few cases of such lesions are described.-Prevention in mechanical wood processing-proper guards for operating mechanisms (in the USSR according to the mandatory resolution of the NKT USSR of 20/VII 1926), installation of exhaust fans, training of workers in safe working methods and mandatory provision of first aid stations; for work that produces dust-local ventilation; for finishing work-special clothing, washbasins, showers, etc. When working with poisonous varieties of wood-regular medical examinations and proper selection of workers.