In case you missed this in our January/February 2025 issue. WHS expert Gary Willcox from MONIT exposes the risks of oscillating sanders to technicians in the workshop.
We all agree oscillating sanders are invaluable to our business and have become a real workhorse in the paint shop. Today I want to talk about the risks associated with using an oscillating sander on body filler and paint substrates. Long-term risks are a real factor with improper use of an oscillating sander which should not be ignored.
Dust
The most obvious risk when using an oscillating sander is exposure to dust with the risk increasing greatly when sanding body filler or paint substrates containing hazardous substances. Body fillers often contain polyester resins, while primers can include chemicals like isocyanates or heavy metals.
To manage the dust always ensure the oscillating sander is attached to a vacuum with a HEPA filter to collect dust at the source. Correct fitting sandpaper with holes that align with the pad’s holes is paramount. Never use paper with misaligned holes or no holes at all for the dust to extract through.
Sanding dust can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, wheezing, and potentially chronic lung problems. On top of this some primer dust contain isocyanates which can trigger allergic reactions. Another risk is that some body fillers contain silica which can cause silicosis with prolonged exposure. Recently silica was labelled as the new asbestos leaving workers with permanent long-term injuries, and in some cases death.
The dust is also an eye and skin irritant which can cause long-term damage to the eyes and skin.
Noise
Oscillating sanders can produce noise levels ranging from 85 to 100 decibels, which, over extended periods, can lead to hearing damage. The noise emitted from an electric sander is around 85dB whereas the noise emitted from an air-operated sander often exceeds 100 dB which can quickly lead to hearing damage if proper hearing protection is not worn.
Ergonomics
Sanding for long periods requires constant hand movement, which can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSI), particularly affecting the wrists and forearms. Prolonged exposure to the vibration produced by oscillating sanders can lead to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a serious condition involving:
Numbness and Tingling: Initial symptoms often include tingling and numbness in the fingers, which can develop into permanent nerve damage if not addressed.
Loss of Grip Strength: Over time, vibration can weaken grip strength, making it difficult to hold tools.
Finger Blanching: Reduced blood flow caused by vibration may lead to whitening of the fingers, especially in cold environments.
HAVS can cause irreversible damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles of the hands and arms if not managed properly.
The primary metric used to quantify the intensity of vibration a tool generates is called Vibration Magnitude (m/s²). It measures the acceleration of the tool’s vibration at the point of contact with the operator’s hand. Slow start sanding oscillators are best.
The vibration threshold set by the health and safety regulators is called the Exposure Action Value (EAV) which indicates when an employer should start taking action to control vibration exposure. For an oscillating sander it is 2.5 m/s².
If you are still unsure contact your manufacturer for the Vibration Magnitude of the sanders you are either using or wanting to purchase.
PPE
Risks can be greatly reduced through the use of PPE and should be encouraged where practicable.
Wear a dust mask or respirator rated for fine particulate matter (N95 or higher) when sanding. If sanding primers, consider using a respirator with an organic vapour cartridge.
Wear anti-vibration gloves.
Use safety goggles or a face shield to prevent dust from entering the eyes.
Wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect against noise.
Use nitrile gloves and long-sleeve coveralls to avoid skin contact with harmful dust.
