Buffing & Polishing hazards and their Preventive measures.

What is Buffing and Polishing ?

In order to refine and smooth surfaces, buffing and polishing need the use of rotating equipment and abrasive compounds are often employed techniques in the metal work, woodwork and other sectors. Despite being commonplace, these tasks carry risks such dust inhalation, machine entanglement, flying particles, and ergonomic injuries.

Buffing vs Polishing:

The Major Defference between is use of abrasion level.

Polishing	Buffing
1. Polishing is less intense and applied smoother abrasive material to create a shiny, reflective surface.	1. Buffing is More Aggressive as compared to polishing and uses an abrasive compound to clear all marks and scratches.
2. Polishing done on fairly smooth surface	2. Buffing done on surface that have visible scratches or marks

Some risks connected to buffing and polishing include:

1. Physical Injuries:
   • Coming into contact with rotating machinery can result in significant injuries. Buffing and polishing wheels rotate quickly and can do serious damage to workers.
   • for e.g. flying debris cause cuts and eye injuries.
2. Respiratory Risks:
   • Breathing in dust and other particles: Buffing and polishing can produce dust and other particles that can cause respiratory issues.
3. Chemical hazards:
   • Chemical exposure: Buffing and polishing substances may contain substances that are dangerous if consumed, inhaled, or absorbed via the skin.
4. Fire Hazards:
   • Fire and explosion hazards: Buffing and polishing compounds can be flammable, and sparks generated by the process can ignite them.

To prevent these hazards, it is important to take appropriate safety measures, including:

1. Using personal protective equipment (PPE’s):
   • Workers should wear appropriate PPE’s, such as safety glasses or face shields to protect against flying particles.
   • wear cut-resistant gloves to protect hands but don’t use loose gloves near rotating tools.
   • Provide Respiratory masks to protect from inhaling dust or fine particles.
   • wear clothes such as anti-static cloth or flame resistant cloth at the time of buffing metal.
   • Provide hearing protection like ear plug or ear muff to protect from high noise environments.
   • Workers should wear appropriate PPE’s, such as safety glasses or face shields to protect against flying particles.
   • wear cut-resistant gloves to protect hands but don’t use loose gloves near rotating tools.
   • Provide Respiratory masks to protect from inhaling dust or fine particles.
   • wear clothes such as anti-static cloth or flame resistant cloth at the time of buffing metal.
   • Provide hearing protection like ear plug or ear muff to protect from high noise environments.

2. Machine and Equipment safety:

• Make sure all guards and shields on the machine are tightly fitted in a place.
• Proper equipment inspection and maintenance: inspect and maintain buffing wheels, discs and machine from avoiding tear and wear and other damages.
• Use buffing and polishing machine at given manufacturer speed settings with alteration of speed setting
• Never bypass safety features like machine guards and emergency stops.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing and jewellery. These items might get stuck in rotating machinery and result in catastrophic injury.

3. Workplace Safety:

• Do proper housekeeping at the workstation removed debris or flammable materials.
• Work in a well-ventilated area: Good ventilation is important to prevent inhalation of dust and fumes.
• Keep fire extinguishers and make sure they are reachable in case of fire.
  

4. Training and Supervision:

• Provide Training to the workers for performing safe operation of buffing and polishing equipment.
• Give instruction to the worker for ppe usage and maintenance.
• Do not let untrained worker work alone let him work with experience worker or supervise new or untrained workers during starting working.

5. Ergonomics:

• Encourage break and stretching to the workers to reduce repetitive strain injuries.
• Provide adjustable workstation to maintain Proper Posture.

6. Proper handling and storage:

• To avoid spills and other mishaps, buffing and polishing compounds should be kept in a cold, dry location.

These precautions can help workers lower their risk of illness and injury while buffing and polishing.

Legal Standard:

Indian standards:

1. Factories Act, 1948:

• Section 7A: Employer’s duty to ensure the health and safety of workers.

• Section 21: Requires proper guards for dangerous machines like buffing wheels.

• Section 41B: Mandates occupational safety and use of PPE for hazardous processes.

2. IS 7157:1987 (Code of Safety for Operation and Maintenance of Buffing and Polishing Machines):

• Specifies safe operating practices for buffing and polishing machinery.

3. IS 9473:2002 (Respiratory Protective Devices):

• Defines standards for masks used for dust and particle protection.

International Standards:

1. ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems):

• Employers must assess and mitigate risks related to tasks like buffing and polishing.

2. OSHA Standards (29 CFR 1910):

• 1910.212: Requires machine guarding to prevent worker injuries.

• 1910.132: PPE standards for eye, face, hand, and respiratory protection.

• 1910.94(b): Ventilation requirements for abrasive blasting and polishing.