3D Printing Safety and Risk Management

Brilliant though these machines are, you need to be aware of significant safety risks and how to manage them. The risks and control measures are explained below. By law, if your business or school creates substances which may be harmful to health, you must control the risk. NI 3D Print can assess the risk and provide you with solutions.

Particle emissions. Reports from the HSE and CLEAPPS clearly prove that the process of heating and extruding plastic filament releases plastic particles that can be breathed in and ingested, regardless of the filament type used. The process also causes fumes to be emitted. For the safety of operators a filtration system must be used when a 3D printer is in operation.

High temperatures. When operating, desktop 3D printers have areas on the machine that get hot enough to cause severe burns. Areas of high temperature can also present a fire hazard.

Moving parts. All desktop 3D printers have mechanical moving parts that could trap or catch fingers, hair and clothing, causing injury.

Control measures. NI 3D Print can assist you with controlling all of the above risks by installing a HSE tested safety cabinet (like the one seen at here). This encloses the machine and 1. Reduces the release of harmful/toxic emissions 2. Prevents burns, trap & choking hazards 3. Reduces fire & electric hazard risks.

According to the HSE report, when a filtered enclosing hood was placed over the 3D printer this reduced particle emissions released to the room by 97% when exhausting air from the hood and by 99% in the
recirculating air mode.

Contact NI 3D Print to arrange a risk assessment and solution costing.