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Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => SAFETY => Topic started by: drnihili on February 16, 2015, 10:39:46 AM
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So, I'm thinking we need masks, despite the fact that our equipment is currently out in the open air with lots of ventilation. What kind of mask/respirator is needed?
Another question is how to deal with beards and masks. There's just no way that I'm going to get anything approaching an airtight seal short of wearing a hazmat suit. Suggestions?
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I love that pic. I know a rockhound who wears masks regularly for his work, I'll ask him what he recommends.
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If you trim the beard a bit shorter you might be able to get it to fit into a mask, or at least wrap the beard into it's own form a pony tail to help hold it out of the way while you cut. :dontknow:
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I can ponytail it, or tuck it in my shirt to get it out of the way. The problem is that respirators generally need a fairly tight fit against skin to be effective. If I put a mask on over my beard, that path of least resistance for the air is between the mask and skin (through the beard). While my beard is pretty thick, I don't think it's up to filtering rock dust. :icon_scratch:
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Fantastic picture, welcome to the family. :WEEEE:
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I didn't know Gandalf liked rocks:) Great picture:)
No???????? :angel9:
His staff, usually contained one in "Lord of the Rings" :LOLOL:
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3m halfmask with particulate filter, easy to get on the net. Wask bucket for your hands outside is helpful also. Try to avoid bringing the dust indoors if at all possible and keep it out of the plumbing as it will clog it eventually.
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So, http://www.amazon.com/3M-6000-Facepiece-Respirator-Medium/dp/B000FTEDMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424229563&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+half+mask+particulate (http://www.amazon.com/3M-6000-Facepiece-Respirator-Medium/dp/B000FTEDMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424229563&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+half+mask+particulate)
Any thoughts on dealing with the beard? Shaving is not an option, btw.
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This is the industry standard mask so I imagine it not horrible with beards. I would consider rinsing the beard before going in to get the dust and slugs out. I found a slug asleep just above my mules eye yesterday.
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But if I clean out my beard, what will I do for snacks?!?!? :WEEEE:
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EeeewwwWWWWWwwwwww! :LOLOL:
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3m halfmask with particulate filter, easy to get on the net. Wask bucket for your hands outside is helpful also. Try to avoid bringing the dust indoors if at all possible and keep it out of the plumbing as it will clog it eventually.
This is the same answer I got from a couple others I know whom I have asked. Sorry it took so long to get back to this thread. Regarding the beard, the consensus is, it will not seal as well, but some protection is better than none at all.
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Thanks, I ordered one from Amazon this morning.
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i have a goatee, in order for me to be covered under the companies 3M mask program to haul Silica for aluminum at the Alcoa aluminum plant in ferndale i have to shave the day or morning prior to being at work.
I can keep my goatee, but when i wear the mask i have to bundle it up and stuff it up in the mask.
With whiskers, you dont get a seal period, it has to be bare skin.
Only use a good quality 3M mask, the ones with replaceable filters are best.
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Yeah, there's no way I'm getting a good seal short of tying a garbage bag over my head.
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I think I have read of a cloth beard shroud that goes on before the mask.
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there is NO possible way to filter ANY micro particles (the ones we breathe in) with ANY amount of hair between the skin and mask.
Its impossible!
Unless he wears a nasa issued positive fed air helmet and sealed around the neck under the beard.
I offer advice to just do every bit of grinding and sanding & polishing with WET stones and plenty of fluids keeping all dust to 0%
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or alter a sand blasting unit into a cabbing cage with extreme shop vac filtering system installed via a long hose and exhausting to outside air.
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Hmmm, the sandblasting conversion is an interesting idea, though I doubt Teresa would like it and she's the one most likely to do a lot of cabbing. Unfortunately, I'm the one most likely to use the Richardson Ranch high speed sander, and that's going to be the real dust monster. I wonder if I should perhaps rethink that choice in favor of something that can be used wet ... :icon_scratch:
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I have a Makita 4" wet disc sander. It costs about $500 for the who set up (all the grit discs & grinding wheels); you run a hose to it.
Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-4-in-Electronic-Stone-Polisher-PW5001C/203162032?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiA9qCnBRCb7ZDhvaHSyicSJABGFFHtUO9FNLkBKTpW1R_cRxGLDGkRCFJ3yusUA6jqgAp1BxoC8RXw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-4-in-Electronic-Stone-Polisher-PW5001C/203162032?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiA9qCnBRCb7ZDhvaHSyicSJABGFFHtUO9FNLkBKTpW1R_cRxGLDGkRCFJ3yusUA6jqgAp1BxoC8RXw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
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I was visiting a friend that is a wood turner, he and I went over to another wood turners house and this guy had a beard down to his belly button that he tucked into his overalls. He had made a particle mask using PVC pipe, a scuba mouth piece and using the the 3M replacement filters. the PVC pipe balanced on his shoulders and the filters were towards his back over his shoulders. He said he got the idea on line at a wood turn forum. The scuba mouth piece keeps it in your mouth without strain.
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Interesting idea, Bentiron. A nose plug would probably be helpful too.
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Tony Funk (http://www.idahorockshop.com (http://www.idahorockshop.com)) said he uses a modified paint mask, but he doesn't have a beard. He didn't really clarify what was modified about it either- maybe the filters?
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Going to try this out. They have a "Pro" version too, that I may end up getting if I like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008N1NZEQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I recently saw that a full mask is reccomended for folks with beards.
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From what I've read, a full mask can work for a short beard where the beard is pretty much entirely in the mask. I'm afraid that's not so much an option for me, in addition to being pretty expensive. This system should be effective as the seal is made at the lips instead of on the face. If I were doing this full-time, I'd explore other options, but for periodic use, this seems like it should be doable. I may step up to the pro version (still less than half the cost of a full mask) if I find myself needing it more often.
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Hmmm, the sandblasting conversion is an interesting idea, though I doubt Teresa would like it and she's the one most likely to do a lot of cabbing. Unfortunately, I'm the one most likely to use the Richardson Ranch high speed sander, and that's going to be the real dust monster. I wonder if I should perhaps rethink that choice in favor of something that can be used wet ... :icon_scratch:
It doesn't have the vacuum hookup flange on the shroud?
I second modifying a scuba mouthpiece to what ever you dream up. that, or maybe make up a box like enclosure like we use on some trim saws, but put a flange at the rear to hook up a shop vac. I doubt any particles will escape as long as you have a good hepa filter on the vac. That, or set up a exhaust tube on the vac that leads to outside or somewhere safe like they do for auto exhaust in a mechanics shop.
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It does have a vacuum hook up, and I have a large shop vac to hook to it. However, I've heard that there's still a considerable about of dust that gets out.
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It does have a vacuum hook up, and I have a large shop vac to hook to it. However, I've heard that there's still a considerable about of dust that gets out.
I guess that depends on how well the vac is working..... Mine will suck the chrome off a bumper hitch until the filter gets clogged, then it might let some dust fly. I don't do flats anymore, so will be selling mine soon. I want to paint it first maybe, the one I have has a speckle paint job.
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Well, the Resp-o-rator seems to work well. It takes a bit of getting used to, and I have some minor concern about the humidity levels with the filter so close to the mouth. I could also wish for a somewhat more comfortable nose clip, I may try trading it out for one designed for swimmers. Still, it's a far better fate than silicosis and seems to be a good work around for the overly pileous of us.
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It's been a while since anyone has chimed in on this. I read the whole thread and didn't find an answer for my question. Is a dust mask sufficient protection or should I spend more money for a respirator. I probably wouldn't have been concerned about it at all but just contracted a nasty cold and I went out to cut some cabs and found that I couldn't because of small dust particles bothering my breathing. Because of this experience for me it is going to be all about safety from now on.
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Unfortunately a dust mask does virtually nothing to protect you and a proper fitting particulate filter mask must be maintained ( filters monitored) to be effective.
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Just pull your beard up around your nose and mouth and a rubber band around your head to hold it in place, that puppy should filter out anything.Sorry M I bad lol.
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Would the respirators sold at Lowes, Home Depot, or even Harbor Freight work? My guess is that it needs a P100 filter. I think that I need to get one.
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Probably but over the net you can always get 3m replacement filters so you dont have to throw the mask away when the store no longer carries the same filter you bought as is common with off brand masks.
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I looked at Lowes and such, but was able to get a better deal on a better mask through Amazon.
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I ended up getting one at Harbor Freight. But the thing is, it is so much of a pain in the neck to wear. Especially when I want to take a drink. I'm 63 years old. I wonder if I can outrun Silicosis if I don't wear a mask. :dontknow:
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I am also 63 and I for one can't outrun much.
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I ended up getting one at Harbor Freight. But the thing is, it is so much of a pain in the neck to wear. Especially when I want to take a drink. I'm 63 years old. I wonder if I can outrun Silicosis if I don't wear a mask. :dontknow:
Is your bucket list complete? Someone I once knew, cabbing every day full time with no respirator; quit smoking at 4 years to try and stave it off, dead at 6 from COPD.
I do not wear a respirator when I cab. I do not have a bucket list.
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I do not wear a respirator when I cab. I do not have a bucket list.
I'd kind of love to have you around a while.
Who else is going to road trip with me if I ever manage to get better?
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I was a welder or supervisor in a welding shop (part of it oil field) for 30 years, smoked up until last year and now I suck on a nicotine injector (e-cig). I am 68 and the only one I can out run is Frank but I figure I have a good ten years left. I only use a mask when I am grinding on malachite but the way I am set up now very little spray floats around. The way I tell if stuff is floating around is if my eyes bother me that night. I have not had a problem since I put a splash guard on my machine. Another way to tell is if your glasses get splattered and I do not have that problem any more either. In the past I couldn't see anything when I finished grinding or polishing.
I have a 21 year old girl friend in China that I am going to see by the end of the summer. I figure if I live through that I have it made for another 15 or 20 years. I think in some cases you live as long as you want to. A friend of mine has a grand father still living in his 90s and his favorite saying is "if I would have known I was going to live so long I would have taken better care of my self".
From what I have read it doesn't seem to matter whether the centenarians smoked or not so a lot of what has to do with dieing is what you are most susceptible to and how your genes are lined up. But there again, tomorrow you may get hit by a truck.
My bucket list will never be empty as long as I can walk and it is not because I have not done a bunch of whittling on the list, my list just has no end.
Jim
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Jim, your post is very interesting. My new doctor (my old one left the network) told me on the very first day of our visit that there are worse things than death. (He's actually wrong but that is for another discussion outside of the realm of this forum.) But I get what he was getting at. In fact I am starting to try to take care of myself in hopes of preventing or at least prolonging the onset of some possibly nasty things that I might have to deal with. (diabetic) Things like having toes amputated, the usual that everyone is concerned about, heart attack and stroke. But not being able to breathe is probably the most scary thing that could happen to me. I am pretty much of a wuss when it comes to anything that is uncomfortable like being short of breath and physical pain. Nevertheless I have pretty much constant pain (it probably can't be even close to what Frank endures, my thoughts go out to you my friend) with neuropathy in my feet. In fact I will have to visit a pain specialist because my new primary care doctor says that it is not sustainable for him to prescribe the same pain medication that my previous doctor did from the start. So now enter another specialist ( errrrr, man do I hate corporate medicine) just to prescribe a pain medication that I am addicted to and must have it. I have heard and read that withdrawl from this medication is very hard. For me with it everything works, without it all hell breaks loose psychologically and physically for me within 8 hours of being off of it. I begin to climb the walls. So I hope that this pain specialist will be able to keep me on it. I have no desire at this time for anything stronger. I take less of it than prescribed but if the pain specialist will continue the prescription I may start taking as much as prescribed. Plus I am beginning to get some typical aging symptoms like pain in my knees. I am only 63 but face it, things wear out. So anyway that is my story. I'm not complaining, my life is better now than at any time ever in the past. I am loving every minute of it. So today an everyday when I cut rocks I will work at enduring the nuisance of wearing a respirator. (I got it from Harbor Freight and it is every bit as good as one from 3M and at least twice the price and maybe more) for longer periods of time each day until I can wear it all day. Plus Jim, I suffer from the same thing you do, my eyes begin to bother me when I cut so I will start wearing some safety glasses as well. They are also dirt cheap at Harbor Freight. I commend anyone who reads this lengthy posting. :coffee1:
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My old man died of cancer but that wasn't the worst part of his death, that was the damage to his lungs from having smoked since he was 9 years old. He did quit when he was 39 but the damage was done, a lot of damage from two packs a day. His last month was awful what with him not being able to get enough air. If you smoke quit, it may save you some grief in the end.
In 1990 I was rear ended, bad accident, damaged my spine from one end to the other, been in constant pain ever since and every year, every month, every week, every day it gets worse. I thought at first it would go away like every other time I had been in a rear ender but it just didn't, I had a constant migraine headache, pain in my neck that didn't quit, numbness in my little finger and ring finger on bother hands and it felt like I had a worm crawling up and down the inside of my arm. Finally went to the doctor and things got much worse, some doctors know less than they think they know. I had physical therapy, trigger point injections, pain medication and still nothing much changed. Primary care doctor sent me to a new neurologist who put me on a whole new course of medication, same thing, no relief, she tells me it's because I'm not trying to get better, well excuse me for living through the accident. Next I get sent to a pain clinic, Narcotics Galore, LLC, yeah, really that's the name of the place. That's about all they did was prescribe was narcs and injections along the spine, didn't do much good. I quit all the narcs and went back to OTC pain meds. Prescription narcs have a place but for short term use only in most cases, ye, there are exceptions and I do have some on hand when I just can't stand it any more but the best advice is to limit there use as much as possible. If the script says to take one every six hours for pain, soon you will need two ever six hours for the pain, then what are you going to do when that doesn't provide any relief? It is a dangerous road to go down. Boy we sure got a long way from masks didn't we? Take care of your health, it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement, well, unless you are Hindu or Buddhist. :icon_sunny:
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Yeah I guess we did get a bit off track on the masks. But I am attempting to wear mine for longer periods of time now. Anyway, back to the pain medication deal. So far I don't require any more of what I take nor do I have a desire to increase the dosage. But the bad thing about it is that I don't think that I can get off of it. It only takes 16 hours without it and I am climbing the walls psychologically. If I reverted to OTC, I think that I could manage it but at what cost to my stomach and other organs that they affect? I would need a minimum of 16 advils a day and they aren't covered by insurance.
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Get a prescription for the proper dose of once or twice a day Advil(it is available by prescription) or better yet see if you can get a script for Celebrex. I take one 400mg capsule a day and it probably does more for my pain relief than any other pill I have ever taken. Not every insurance plan covers it but I have not had the gastric upset with this medication that I have had with other NSAIDs like Clinoril or Naprosyn. There are a lot of old line NSAIDs out there that are still formulairy with many insurance companies and cheaper than Advil OTC. The 400mg dose of Celebrex that I take is twice the recommended dose but so far so good, 200mg is normal for most folks and considerably cheaper. Talk to your doctor about giving this drug a try.