safety equipment?

[Lee Robinson .]

My respirator and dust collector work good, but still I have noticed some irritation on my skin when I get fiberglass dust on my face, neck, and inner arms (for lack of a better term...in my "elbow pit"). I have NO problems on my hands, but I wonder if I may be rubbing my face with "dirty hands" without thinking about it.

Do you generally wear long sleeves?

Also, I was thinking of getting a full face mask respirator that would offer my face protection against dust.

Any recommendations?

[Lee Robinson .]

BTW, I think it is the fiberglass dust because if I am working on risers (no glass), I don't have any issues at all. The only time I see an issue is when I am doing heavy sanding with my belt sander when I am profiling the limbs and dealing with fiberglass. If I am sweaty, the dust sticks to my face and neck and that is when I have a problem...so I am thinking about getting a full face mask.

[legends1]

I have a vacuum hooked up to my sanders.I still seem to get some on my arms from time to time.I always wear a mask.Thats not something you want to take a chance with.Long sleeves do help but some times it just gets to dang hot.

[Lee Robinson .]

Which mask offers good face and neck protection and still offers good visibility? I'm assuming you use one with a respirator built in...or do you use a separate respirator?

[michbowhunter]

I use the 3M 6000 half mask with the P95 filters, but have often thought of buying the full face model.  I used to stuff a ton of fiberglass insulation when I was younger and one of the tricks is to put a little baby powder on your arms and neck...for some reason this keeps the fibers from sticking to the skin.  Unfortunately, when it's hot it's best to wear long sleeves...when you sweat those fibers go right into your open pours.  
When you take a shower, rinse with cold water when you first get it.  Hot water will also open the skin pours allowing those little buggers to get in.
For the most part, I just use the air compressor to blow off my neck, and "elbow pits".  Then a little cold water before the hot!
 http://www.coopersafety.com/brand/120/56/3M-Respirators.aspx

[Canadabowyer]

I have my dust collector inlets mounted on a stick that provides a place to clamp it to the table of the belt sander. So with each different grinding operation I can move the inlet to the optimal place to catch the dust from that operation. Also my shop is always cool enough for long sleeve shirts. Also the first thing I do after a shop session is immediately take a shower so any dust on me is washed off and has no time to irritate my skin. This has worked well for me. Bob

[JamesV]

Do you guys have problems with washing your work clothes in the family wash? If I have heavy fiberglass or IPE dust on my clothes my wife will get a rash if she washes any of her clothes with mine.

James.................

[don s]

years ago when i painted new homes. the spray guy would not only wear a respirator but he would also put a light coat of vaseline on his face neck and ears. the paint, varnish or whatever he was spraying would not be able to penetrate the vaseline. the vaseline washed off in the shower. don

[Bob Sarrels]

Don't tell my wife this but, panty hose are a really great way to remove glass dust from your skin.  Of course I only use the ones she has thrown away.  They are also great for straining your finish before spraying.

[Big-un08]

I use welding sleeves to cover my arms. One set will last a while when you're not throwing sparks on them.      

[D]

I know it would be hot as crap but how about tyvek coveralls, or the paper coveralls.  Blow off with a airhose before you take them off.  Humm probably wouldn't help the neck spot though.  Ha anybody know where to get a Haz-Mat suit at.  lol

[T Folts]

I use a respirator and sometimes I'll place a box fan with a filter right in front of me when sanding glass, it pulls everthing to it away from you and sometimes I'm lazy and don't.

T