Abstract:
Objective To know well about the current situation of occupational hazards in paint spraying workplace of wooden furniture factories and the efficiency of protection measures, so as to improve working conditions and protection levels.
Methods A field investigation was conducted to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the ventilation and protection measures against harmful gases.
Results The unqualified rate of xylene concentration in the air of the selected workplace was 83%. Abnormal health examination indicators were reported for 8 workers, accounting for 10% of the total exposed workers. The wind speeds at 1 m distance in front of the exhaust hood and the side suction cover were 0.2-0.3 m/s and 0.3-0.4 m/s respectively, indicating poor protective effects.
Conclusion There are structural defects in the original ventilation protective devices of the paint spraying workshop. Improvement measures, such as overall confined laminar flow hood with a negative pressure airlock linking the outside, will enhance the protective effect for operators under the hood and also control pollution outside the hood.