Ski wax and health

The majority of our products do not require any special precautions. This goes for all products in the “kick” category such as hard waxes and klisters. The only “kick” products where we recommend some precaution are liquid products on aerosol bottles, which preferably should be applied outside or in a ventilated room. The same precaution is recommended for our aerosol liquids within the “glide” category. 

For glide waxing using an iron we recommend some additional precautions. What precautions you should take, and what kind of personal protective equipment you should ware is related to the frequency of waxing you are doing. Differentiation between user groups according to the exposure level is a good principle of occupational health.

The Protective recommendations for ski waxers below are a guideline on how to protect yourself against vapor and dust when hot waxing. It describes 5 categories in which cover the typical levels of ski waxers.

Recreational waxer:

You and/or your family go skiing a few times pr season and you like you take care of your skiing equipment. You either use non-iron easy wax products or are a bit into hot waxing.
You typically wax 2-5 times pr season.
Recommended precaution:
Apply product outside or in a ventilated room.

 If you use a mask from other vendors, make sure it’s that the protection level is minimum A2 (solvent/aerosols) and P3 (particles). For all masks, note the expiry date and make sure that you follow the cleaning and storage  instructions on the packaging/packing insert.

Light waxer:

You and/or your family are not into racing, but you enjoy skiing, and see the benefits of waxing. You wax your skies/board from time to ensure good glide properties and general care.
You typically perform waxing 1-3 times a month during the winter.
Recommended precaution:
A good ventilated wax room where the air is being replaced frequently.

Regularly waxer:

You like to take care of your own and/or your family’s skis. You could have children who are into racing, or you might participate in citizen races yourself. If not, you just have a passion for waxing, and like to have great performing skies for training.
You typically spend time in the wax cabin once a week during the winter.
Recommended protection:
T4277, Protection mask for waxing. This is a 3M mask Swix is offering to heavy/regularly waxers. It protects both against iron vapor/gases and dust particles. Both a good and economical solution.
An alternative and a minimum is a good ventilated wax room where the air is being replaced frequently. An option, if you only apply fluorinated powders once or twice each season, a good affordable option is the 3M Aura 9330+ mask.

Heavy waxer:

You have waxing as your hobby or passion.  You might be a waxer within your club or just wax for yourself and/or family members who are into racing.
You typically spend 1-3 days a week in the wax cabin during the winter.
Recommended protection:
T4277, Protection mask for waxing. This is a 3M mask Swix is offering to heavy/regularly waxers. It protects both against iron vapor/gases and dust particles. Both a good and economical solution.
An alternative is theT317590 protection mask for pro waxers. This is a Scott Autoflow mask Swix is offering to the profession segment of ski waxing. It is a full face mask battery driven mask and protects both against iron vapor/gases and dust particles. 

Professional waxer:

You have waxing as your profession and spend most of your days in the wax cabin during the winter season. You probably work for a national/professional team, or work backshop at a sport retailer.
You typical spend 4-7 days a week in the wax cabin during the winter.
Recommended protection:
T317590, protection mask for pro waxers. This is a Scott Autoflow mask Swix is offering to the profession segment of ski waxing. It is a full face mask battery driven mask and protects both against iron vapor/gases and dust particles.
An alternative solution for this segment is a fully ventilated wax bench. Together with Total Miljø AS Swix is offering the solution WAX VENT.