Sanding Dust Extraction and Downdraft Table Inspection
Inspect downdraft tables and sanding dust extraction units for airflow, filter loading, dust leakage, and housekeeping before sanding or grinding starts. Use it to catch capture failures and fire-risk deficiencies before they spread dust through the shop.
Trusted by frontline teams 15 years of frontline software AI customization in seconds
Built for: Auto Body Repair · Collision Centers · Industrial Finishing · Woodworking Shops · Manufacturing Maintenance
Overview
This inspection template is for sanding dust extraction units and downdraft tables used in body shop and prep areas. It guides the inspector through identification of the asset, system condition, airflow and capture performance, filter condition, housekeeping, and corrective actions so the team can verify the equipment is actually controlling dust before work starts.
Use it when a prep bay relies on local exhaust ventilation to capture sanding or grinding dust at the source, after maintenance or filter replacement, and any time operators report weak suction, dust escape, or unusual noise. The checklist is especially useful for portable extractors, fixed downdraft tables, and collection systems that can be visually damaged, overloaded, or blocked by debris.
Do not use this template as a substitute for a full engineering test or a formal industrial hygiene survey when the site needs measured exposure data. It is also not the right tool for unrelated ventilation systems, general room cleaning, or spray booth inspections. If the unit has a known electrical fault, damaged wiring, or a serious combustible dust accumulation, the inspection should stop and the issue should be escalated through maintenance and site safety procedures. The value of the template is that it turns a quick pre-use check into a documented, repeatable control for dust capture, housekeeping, and fire-risk reduction.
Standards & compliance context
- This template supports OSHA general industry and construction expectations for dust control, housekeeping, machine safety, and maintaining equipment in safe operating condition.
- It aligns with common NFPA fire-life-safety practices for controlling combustible dust hazards and keeping ignition sources away from dust collection areas.
- It can be adapted to ANSI/ASSP safety program requirements by documenting inspections, deficiencies, corrective actions, and responsible owners.
- If the shop uses exposure monitoring or ventilation verification, pair this checklist with site industrial hygiene procedures and manufacturer specifications.
- For regulated food or agricultural environments, adapt the housekeeping and contamination controls to the applicable FDA Food Code or agricultural safety program as needed.
General regulatory context for orientation only — verify current requirements with counsel or the relevant agency before relying on this template for compliance.
What's inside this template
Inspection Setup and Area Identification
This section confirms the right unit, the right time, and a safe inspection setup before anyone starts evaluating performance.
- Inspection date and time recorded
- Downdraft table or dust extraction unit identified by asset ID or location
- Area is accessible and free of active work that would prevent a safe inspection
- Inspector has reviewed the applicable SOP or maintenance checklist
Dust Extraction System Condition
This section catches physical damage, leakage, overfill, and alarm conditions that can reduce capture or create a dust release.
- Dust collector housing, ducting, and connections are intact with no visible damage or loose fittings
- No visible dust leakage at seams, access doors, or hose connections
- Collection bin, drawer, or disposal container is properly seated and not overfilled
- System indicators show normal operation with no alarm, fault, or overload condition
- Access panels and service doors are closed and secured
Downdraft Table Airflow and Capture Performance
This section verifies that the table is actually pulling dust at the source, not just running with the motor on.
- Airflow at the downdraft table is present and uniform across the work surface
- Measured face velocity or table airflow is within the manufacturer's acceptable range
- Dust is being captured at the source during a brief test sanding or airflow check
- Work surface openings, grates, and plenums are not blocked by tools, parts, or debris
- No unusual vibration, noise, or airflow pulsation is observed during operation
Filters and Maintenance Condition
This section checks whether the filtration stage is installed correctly, within restriction limits, and current on service.
- Primary filters are installed correctly and seated without bypass gaps
- Filters show no visible excessive loading, tearing, collapse, or moisture damage
- Differential pressure or filter restriction reading is within the acceptable operating range
- Filter change or cleaning is current per maintenance schedule
Housekeeping, Fire Risk, and Corrective Actions
This section closes the loop by documenting dust cleanup, ignition-source control, and the owner and due date for every deficiency.
- Accumulated sanding dust is removed from the table, floor, and nearby surfaces
- No ignition sources, hot work, or open flames are present in the dust collection area
- Any deficiency, non-conformance, or repair need is documented with an owner and due date
- Inspector signature
How to use this template
- 1. Record the inspection date, time, inspector name, and the specific downdraft table or dust extraction unit by asset ID or location.
- 2. Confirm the area is safe to inspect, the unit is accessible, and the inspector has the current SOP or maintenance checklist for that equipment.
- 3. Walk the dust collector, ducting, hoses, access doors, and collection container to verify the system is intact, seated correctly, and free of visible leakage or overfill.
- 4. Run the airflow and capture checks by measuring face velocity or table airflow, then perform a brief sanding or airflow test to confirm dust is being pulled into the system.
- 5. Inspect filters, differential pressure or restriction readings, and housekeeping conditions, then document every deficiency with an owner, due date, and signature.
- 6. Remove the unit from service or escalate immediately if airflow is below range, dust leakage is present, or a fire-risk condition cannot be corrected before use.
Best practices
- Measure airflow at the same locations each time so results are comparable from one inspection to the next.
- Photograph dust leakage, damaged filters, blocked grates, and overfilled bins at the time of inspection, not after the cleanup.
- Treat low face velocity as a functional defect even if the motor is running and the unit sounds normal.
- Check that the collection bin, drawer, or disposal container is fully seated before testing capture performance, because a poor seal can mimic a filter problem.
- Keep tools, parts, sanding blocks, and scrap off the grate so the table can pull air evenly across the work surface.
- Use the manufacturer's acceptable airflow range and filter restriction limits instead of a generic pass/fail judgment.
- Escalate any visible dust accumulation near ignition sources, hot work, or open flames as a fire-risk issue, not just a housekeeping note.
What this template typically catches
Issues teams running this template most often surface in practice:
Common use cases
Frequently asked questions
What does this inspection template cover?
It covers the condition and performance of sanding dust extraction units and downdraft tables used in body shop and prep areas. The checklist walks through setup, housing and duct integrity, airflow and capture, filter condition, housekeeping, and corrective actions. It is designed to verify that dust is being captured at the source before sanding or grinding work proceeds.
How often should this template be used?
Use it before each shift, before the first sanding or grinding task, or whenever the equipment is moved, serviced, or shows reduced capture. If your operation runs multiple prep bays, each active unit should be checked on its own cadence. It also works well as a post-maintenance verification after filter changes or duct repairs.
Who should complete the inspection?
A supervisor, equipment manager, lead prep technician, or other trained person who understands the unit's normal operating condition should complete it. The inspector should be able to recognize airflow loss, filter bypass, dust leakage, and unsafe housekeeping conditions. If a deficiency is found, the issue should be assigned to maintenance or the responsible owner for correction.
Does this template align with OSHA or other safety requirements?
Yes, it supports general industry and construction safety expectations around dust control, machine guarding, housekeeping, and fire prevention. It also fits common ANSI and NFPA-based shop safety practices for controlling combustible dust and maintaining equipment performance. It is a practical inspection record, not a substitute for site-specific regulatory review.
What are the most common mistakes when using a dust extraction inspection?
A common mistake is treating the checklist as a visual-only walk-through and skipping airflow measurement or capture testing. Another is ignoring small dust leaks at seams, doors, or hose connections until the system is already underperforming. Teams also miss blocked grates, overloaded bins, and overdue filter changes because the unit still appears to be running.
Can this template be customized for different equipment brands or booth layouts?
Yes, it should be customized to match the manufacturer's acceptable airflow range, filter type, alarm indicators, and maintenance intervals. You can also add asset IDs, bay locations, photo fields, or separate lines for portable extractors and fixed downdraft tables. If your shop has multiple models, create a version for each unit family.
How does this compare with an informal pre-use check?
An informal check often catches only obvious failures, such as a unit that will not start or a bin that is visibly full. This template forces a more reliable review of capture performance, filter condition, and dust leakage before work begins. That makes it easier to document deficiencies, assign corrective actions, and show that the equipment was checked consistently.
What should happen if the inspection finds low airflow or dust leakage?
Stop using the affected unit for sanding or grinding until the issue is corrected or the equipment is verified safe by maintenance. Document the deficiency, tag the unit if your site uses lockout or out-of-service controls, and record who owns the repair and by when. If the problem involves combustible dust buildup or a fire-risk condition, escalate it immediately.
Related templates
Go deeper on the topic
-
A daily huddle is a brief (10–15 minute) standing meeting held at the start of a shift or workday to align the team on priorities, surface issues, and...
-
A deskless worker is any employee whose job happens without a desk, a company laptop, or a fixed workstation. They're roughly 80% of the global workforce —...
-
A frontline employee app is a phone-first application that gives hourly, field, and deskless workers access to their schedule, pay, announcements, training,...
-
A frontline worker is any employee whose job happens away from a desk — on a production floor, in a patient room, behind a store counter, in a customer's...
-
Discover 4 proven keys to successful project management and team collaboration — from transparent goal-setting to real-time communication and workflow...
-
Boost team collaboration with modern tools that improve visibility, accountability, and communication for stronger project outcomes.
-
Intranet file naming conventions that improve search, reduce clutter, and help employees find the right document fast.
-
Compare the best employee apps of 2026—MangoApps, Blink, WorkJam, Flip, and more—to find the right fit for your frontline workforce.
Ready to use this template?
Get started with MangoApps and use Sanding Dust Extraction and Downdraft Table Inspection with your team — pricing built for small business.
