Engraving is a centuries-old design approach that has evolved and persisted over time, incorporating numerous techniques and materials. However, as with other sectors, engravers must be careful about health and safety concerns in order to avoid accidents and other problems on the job.
Here are five important health and safety concerns that are frequently neglected in the engraving sector.
Fire Outbreaks
Inflammable paper and materials are a genuine hazard in the engraving business, particularly when laser-engraving at home. When laser-engraving your material, is it unusual to see tiny flames?
Generally, under 2″ fires tend to go out on their own within seconds. You may need to use a blanket to extinguish the fire before it gets out of control. A fire extinguisher is usually adequate for putting out flames larger than two inches in diameter.
As a result, even though the danger of fires in professional engravers’ and experts’ facilities such as The Engraving People is small, they are frequently present.
Workspace Cleanliness
Clean workshops are required to avoid any hazards since safety, and sanitary conditions go hand-in-hand to reduce injury risks. Sawdust and other particles in the air from laser engraving might cause an explosion.
Finally, scrap materials are always a fire risk in the workplace. They burn quickly and create a level of danger unlike anything else. As a result, to minimize any safety concerns, keep a cluttered and unclean workshop at all times.
Eye Safety
When it comes to engraving a variety of materials, safety goggles are a must, but many DIY engravers frequently do without them. Although laser engraving has a considerable danger of eye damage, due to the fact that even a modest laser engraver distributes light energy that is three times as powerful as the sun’s rays, it is still an excellent method to add individuality and flair to collectibles.
Because this harsh light can severely harm your cornea, lens, and retina, it is always suggested to wear safety glasses when etching.
Materials You Must Avoid
The materials most commonly laser engraved are marble, paper/cardboard, metal, glass/crystal, wood, and fabric. However, there is a risk of inhaling deadly fumes if you think that laser engraving is suitable for all materials.
PVC, for example, can be deadly in even tiny doses when inhaled, so you should never use lasers to work with this material. Furthermore, fiberglass, polypropylene, covered carbon fiber, HDPE, and ABS are a few other materials that should not be engraved using lasers.
Experts often recommend avoiding any goods that you aren’t sure about, as well as flammable materials that have been linked to fires. When laser engraving, keep this in mind.
Leaving Lasers Unattended
Some machines may take up to 3 hours to engrave a single project. As a result, many engravers frequently lay their equipment down while the operation progresses.
However, in some cases, this may trigger fires and material melting; therefore, a laser operator must be on hand at all times while laser engraving is ongoing. It’s also a good idea to inform another operator before leaving so that they may take your place if you need to stop monitoring.
