Hazards And Risks With 3d printing

Hazards:

The Universal Kora 3D Printer Safety Cabinet and accessories are designed to comply with the 2019 guidance on the legislation which is now applicable to Desktop 3D Printing. The aftercare and support provided on all Kora products will keep you compliant with associated hazards.

The following are possible hazards a school/college should consider when carrying out a risk assessment:

  • Moving components
  • Heated components
  • Ultrafine particle emissions
  • Chemical emissions
  • Electricity
  • Heavy equipment
  • Hazardous waste
  • Cleaning chemicals

Relevant risks:

Inhaling emissions from the 3D printer: Standing close to the printer and spending long periods near the printer during its operation will increase the risk of inhalation of particulate and chemical emissions.

More emissions are produced by higher printer nozzle temperatures (Figure 2). For some individuals, brief exposure to these emissions may trigger symptoms but there may also be longer-term health risks forindividuals who spend long periods using 3D printers.

Contact with moving and heated parts of the printer

Body parts, hair and clothing could become trapped in the moving printer parts and skin could become pinched between belts and drive wheels. The nozzle of the 3D printer can reach high temperatures of between 200- 300 Deg C

Some 3D printers have a heated print bed reaching to between 50 - 100. The skin could be severely burnt if it comes in to contact with these heated parts. Printed components,immediately after the printing finishes, may also be hot enough to burn.

Electrical burns and shocks:

Any equipment connected to the mains supply can possibly give an electric shock to the user, causing fatalities or injuries and burns. Poor installation and maintenance can also lead to damage of the equipment.

Muscoskeletal injuries caused by lifting and moving 3D printers:

Some printers are heavy. Poorly conducted manual handlings tasks increase the risk for muscoskeletal injuries.

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