I work at a knife manufacturer and we recently started making handles with Pau Ferro/Morado wood and a number of employees have broken out into sever rashes from the wood dust. I did some research online which shows that the wood is a irritant, sensitizer and that it can be dangerous to work with the wood dust. I showed the research to my employer but they dont believe the internet to be a creditable source of information and want the wood to be tested somehow to show if it is dangerous or toxic or want an expert opinion. Does anyone know if and where this can be done? Thanks
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Replies
Wishful thinking.
For the owners not to be concerned about health reactions of workers to a material they are using seems short sighted and just this side of stupid. Allergic reactions to wood and wood dust, cocobolo, even walnut are well documented. This seems to be particularly true of tropical hardwoods. It is not surprising. If it is resistant to rot and bugs it must have evolved some chemical that kills off the invaders.
If nothing else your employer should be concerned about his workers comp going through the roof as his workers are forced into disability. And if the workers become pan allergic as a result of their exposure the company could be destroyed by a single law suit asking for lifelong compensation.
Saying the internet is not a reliable source of information will hardly be a defense if someone suffers harm.
Peter
Toxic lumber
Have those effected employees go to their dermatoligist and make a workmans compensation claim and get some documented diagnosis of the problem ! See how fast the employeer reacts then. Can you say greased lightning.
I'm shocked!
kc913 wrote:
they dont believe the internet to be a creditable source of information.................................
My world just came crashing down.
Say it ain't so!!!
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