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Blasting and Painting Safety PDF
Blasting and Painting Safety PDF
STUDENT HANDOUT
Presented by
Frank Palmer
Rationale
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
Outcome
When you have completed this module you will be able to:
Select the materials and equipment necessary for abrasive blasting.
Prerequisites
Module 1.1 Course Orientation
Module 5.3 Identification and Selection of Materials and Equipment for Solvent
Cleaning
State the cfm and psi required for operating an abrasive unit efficiently.
Describe abrasive properties, and list the natural and synthetic abrasives.
Identify the four levels of surface preparation obtained using an abrasive unit.
Resources
Society for Protective Coatings. Steel Structures Painting Manual, Volume 1
Good Painting Practice.
Evaluation
Obtain 75% on a supervised written test.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
The typical rig for abrasive blasting has five basic parts:
air compressor,
air hose,
blasting machine,
nozzle.
Air Compressor
The air compressor provides the high pressure and volume of air needed to propel the
abrasives through the nozzle onto the surface, with sufficient force to clean it.
The continuous and constant supply of an air stream of high pressure and volume is one
of the most critical parts of the blasting operation.
The compressor works by taking in, filtering and compressing a large volume of air by
rotary or piston action and then releasing it into the blasting machine. The capacity of a
compressor is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air, and is directly related to its
horsepower rating. The relationship between horsepower (HP) and volume is shown in
Table 1.
Volume
Compressor HP Rating
(cfm)
15 HP (x 4.5 =) 68
20 90
25 112
30 135
40 180
50 225
60 270
75 338
100 450
Typically, a flow of 170 to 220 cfm or 90 to 100 psi (pounds per square inch) nozzle
pressure air is necessary for blast cleaning steel plates. This can be achieved with a 50 or
60 HP compressor.
Proper compressor maintenance is necessary to control wear of parts, which can cause a
drop in output. Oil and water traps are used to remove those contaminants that would
otherwise be transferred to the blasted surface. The traps must be inspected, cleaned and
adjusted frequently for continuous effective operation.
The rate of blast cleaning is directly proportional to both the air pressure and volume
exiting from the nozzle.
The larger the compressor, the larger the nozzle Interior Diameter (ID) that can be used
and thus the higher the cleaning rate. Typically, blasting at 90 to 100 psi and 170 to
220 cfm is accomplished with a 3/8 nozzle.
Table 2 lists the cleaning rates on panels blasted with the same equipment for the same
amount of time at different nozzle pressures. The rapid decrease in cleaning rate with
nozzle pressure can be seen.
Air Hoses
The air hose delivers the air from the compressor to the blasting machine. It is not as
rugged as the blast hose because it does not carry the abrasive materials (which erode the
inner lining), nor is it dragged on the ground. The air hose should have an inside
diameter of four to five times the inside diameter of the abrasive nozzle.
Blasting Machine
The blasting machine or sand pot is a container that holds the abrasives. A valve at the
bottom, sometimes called a carburetor valve, measures and controls the amount of
abrasive material fed into the blast hose. The essential parts of a typical gravity-fed
blasting machine are:
exhaust muffler reduces the noise made when the abrasive pot depressurizes,
concave head holds the abrasive until it flows into the blast pot;
metering valve meters the abrasive into the compressed air stream, and
Efficient blasting also requires a continuous, uniform flow of abrasive from the pot into
the air stream. Some pots have an automatic metering valve that adjusts the flow of
abrasive with fluctuating air pressure.
Blasting Hose
The blasting hose, which carries both the air and abrasive from the blasting machine to
the abrasive nozzle, must be sturdy, flexible and have an outer cover that dissipates static
electricity to prevent electric shock. (The friction of the abrasive traveling through the
abrasive hose generates static electricity.)
Abrasive hoses are sold in various lengths that may be joined together with external
couplings. As a safety feature, these couplings, when connected, have a safety cable
attached to prevent damage to the couplings. The couplings also have holes in their rims
to insert a safety pin, which prevents the couplings from coming apart.
Most important is the inside diameter of the blast hose which, as with the compressed air
hose, has to be four to five times the diameter of the orifice in the blast nozzle. A sturdy,
four-ply blast hose with the correct inside diameter is recommended for minimal
frictional losses of pressure. Table 3 shows details on the frictional loss related to air
hose diameter and length.
Hose ID Size Line Loss of Pressure (psi*) for Different cfm of Free
(inches) Pressure Air Passing Through 50-Foot Lengths of Hose
(coupled end) (psi) 40 60 80 100 120 150
60 1.2 2.8 5.2 8.6
80 0.8 1.9 3.6 5.8 8.8
0.75
100 0.6 1.4 2.7 5.5 6.6 11.1
110 0.5 1.3 2.4 3.9 5.9 9.9
60 0.6 1.2 2.0 3.3 7.2
80 0.5 0.8 1.4 2.0 3.5
1.00
100 0.4 0.6 1.0 1.5 2.4
110 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.3 2.1
60 0.2 0.3 0.6 1.0
80 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.0
1.25
100 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.7
110 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6
NOTE: * Pressure drops for other lengths in direct proportion to the multiple of length.
If two or more lines are run off the same compressor, a pressure gauge reading may be in
the desired range of 90 to 100 psi, but the pressure may be much less at the nozzle
because of leaks and frictional losses.
Nozzles
Nozzles are available with a variety of lengths, sizes of openings and lining materials. A
control valve is mounted on the nozzle for starting and stopping the blasting without
returning to the pot. The deadman valve has a safety feature so that blasting can occur
only when the valve is depressed; if the operator should drop the nozzle, the flow is
immediately shut off.
A hypodermic needle gauge is used to measure air pressure near the nozzle. It is inserted
in the direction of the abrasive flow to minimize damage to the gauge. The measurement
is made while the abrasive is flowing to give a mix that hits the surface. Table 4 provides
more information on minimum air volume requirements.
Table 4 - Minimum Air Volume Requirements
Size of Volume of Plus Plus 50% Minimum Air
Nozzle
Orifice Air Helmet (reserve) Required
4/16 () 81 20 50 151 cfm
No. 4
6.5 mm 2.3 0.5 1.4 4.2 m/min
5/16 137 20 79 236 cfm
No. 5
8.0 mm 3.9 0.5 2.2 6.6 m/min
6/16 (3/8) 196 20 108 324 cfm
No. 6
9.5 mm 5.5 0.5 3.0 9.0 m/min
7/16 254 20 137 411 cfm
No. 7
11.0 mm 7.2 0.5 3.9 11.6 m/min
8/16 () 338 20 179 537 cfm
No. 8
12.5 mm 9.6 0.5 5.0 16.1 m/min
Contamination of the air supply can be detected by a simple blotter test. A plain, white
blotter is held 18 in front of the nozzle with only the air flowing for 1 to 2 minutes (the
abrasive flow is turned off). Stains on the blotter indicate contamination of the air supply
that requires corrective action. The better nozzles have the following characteristics.
Venturi Design
The tapered shape of the lining of a venturi nozzle is significantly more effective than a
cylindrical shape in concentrating the stream of abrasive. It results in abrasive speeds up
to 450 mph and creates a larger, more uniform blast pattern. It can increase cleaning
rates by as much as 30 to 50%.
Nozzle Length
Nozzle length is usually as great as practical for optimum efficiency. Nozzles from 5 to
8 in length are recommended for removing tightly adhered rust deposits and mill scale.
Shorter nozzles (3 or less) are best used behind beams or in other inaccessible areas
where one might use a whip.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
State the cfm and psi required for operating an abrasive unit efficiently.
The air hose should have as large an ID and as short a length as practical because airflow
through a hose creates friction. The ID is usually four to five times that of the nozzle
orifice. A functional pressure loss of 1 psi results in a cleaning rate loss of 1.5% (i.e., a
10 psi loss causes a 15% loss of cleaning rate). Thus, lines over 100 feet in length should
have an ID five to six times that of the nozzle orifice.
A 1 ID air hose is generally used when the hose is less than 50 feet in length, although a
1.25 ID hose is recommended for production work.
Table 3 (earlier in this LOG) provides data on frictional loss related to air hose diameter
and length. As can be seen from Table 3, the compressor should be located as close to
the abrasive pot as practical to further reduce frictional losses.
The increase in pressure can be determined by using a hypodermic needle gauge at the
nozzle to measure the pressure. Further details on this type of testing are found in the
LOG entitled Material Application and Inspection.
Exterior couplings are preferred to interior couplings for joining hoses because the latter
decrease the hose ID and increase frictional losses. Also, as few couplings as possible
should be used to minimize the number of possible air leaks at unions.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
State the cfm and psi required for operating an abrasive unit efficiently.
Characteristics of Abrasives
The proper abrasive is one that provides the necessary cleanliness and profile. (Profile is
the peaks and valleys obtained when the abrasive is propelled to the surface by the
abrasive nozzle.) The characteristics of such an abrasive related to performance include
the following.
Size
A large-size abrasive grain will cut deeper than a smaller size grain of the same
composition and shape. However, the greatest cleaning rate is generally achieved with as
small a size as possible to give the desired surface condition. Too small an abrasive size
will result in a faster cleaning rate, with a sacrifice in cutting power.
Abrasive particles larger than 16 to 18 mesh may gouge the metal surface and thus have a
slow cleaning rate. However, fine particles (100 mesh size or finer) cannot achieve the
1.5 to 2.6 mil profile usually desired for high-performance coatings. Particles in the 40 to
50 mesh range are most commonly used.
Hardness
Hard abrasives generally cut deeper and thus faster than softer or brittle abrasives. A
hard but brittle abrasive will shatter on impact, reducing its cleaning power.
Breakdown Characteristics
Abrasive grains striking the work surface at high speeds damage themselves. The way in
which they fracture (break) and/or change shape and size is called the breakdown
characteristic. This is particularly important when the abrasive is recycled and reused
because it limits the amount of recycling possible without adversely affecting cleaning
Shape
The shape and size of abrasive grains determine the type of surface profile received from
the blasting. Because it is round, shot opens the surface to give a wavy profile. Shot is
particularly effective in removing brittle deposits such as mill scale.
Grit is angular, and blasting with grit produces a jagged finish that is generally preferred
for coating adhesion.
A wide variety of surface patterns are available from different grits. Use of sand and slag
abrasives, which are semi-angular, result in a pattern somewhere between that of shot and
grit.
pH
A neutral pH (6 to 8) is recommended for the abrasive. It should not be washed with
seawater or contaminated water.
metallic abrasives,
synthetic abrasives.
Metallic Abrasives
Steel shot and grit abrasives are efficient, hard and dust free. While their initial costs are
high, they may be recycled several times to make them cost effective. A mixture of both
shot and grit abrasives in blasting may combine the advantages of both. Care must be
taken to prevent rusting during storage of metallic abrasives.
The impact of steel shot may cause small slivers called hackles to form on the surface.
They may be up to 6 mils in height, and must be removed mechanically by sanding or
grinding before coating to avoid pinpoint corrosion of the metal projecting through the
coating.
Slag Abrasives
Copper and nickel slags are by-products of the ore smelting industry. They are fast
cutting, but have a high breakdown rate and cannot be recycled.
1
Occupational Health & Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Labour. The standards can be found
on the internet at http://www.osha.gov.
2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The standards can be found on the internet at
http://www.epa.gov.
New abrasives should be kept in their originally sealed bags until ready for use. They
should be stored off the ground on wooden palettes and, if left outdoors, covered with a
sheet of plastic. Similarly, care should be taken to prevent contamination of recycled
abrasive.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
NOTE
It takes only one painter to keep up with four blasters.
Angles of Attack
The angle of the nozzle to the surface may range from 45 to 90, depending upon the
work. To remove rust and mill scale, the nozzle should be held 80 to 90 to the surface.
This is also preferred for cleaning pitted surfaces. A slight downward angle will direct
the dust away from the operator and will ensure better visibility. A sharp angle of attack
(45 to 60) allows the operator to peel heavy coats of old paint and layers of rust by
forcing the blast under them. General cleaning is usually best accomplished at a 60 to
70 angle.
In humid areas, rust bloom or flash rust may be seen on the exposed surface within hours.
Brush blasting to remove such rusting before painting is an unnecessary expense.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Identify the four levels of surface preparation obtained using an abrasive unit.
Abrasive blasting is usually the preferred method of preparing steel and other surfaces
prior to the application of an industrial coating.
The hardness of the abrasive and the high velocity of the abrasive particles can
completely and efficiently remove tight mill scale, rust and old coatings. The other
important aspect of abrasive blasting is that it produces a surface profile or texture that
assists in coating adhesion to the surface. When cleaning steel substrates, abrasives such
as silica sand, slag and metal shot are used, depending on the size of the profile required.
With softer metals such as aluminum, softer abrasives (such as plastic beads) are used.
Harder abrasives will damage a soft substrate.
The following four abstracts on surface preparation have been reprinted with permission
from the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC). For full text, please refer to Steel
Structures Painting Manual, Volume 1 Good Painting Practice and Steel Structures
Painting Manual, Volume 2 - Systems and Specifications.
A White Metal Blast Cleaned Surface Finish is defined as a surface with a grey-
white, uniform metallic colour, slightly roughened to form a suitable anchor
A Near-White Blast Cleaned Surface Finish is defined as one from which all
oil, grease, dirt, mill scale, rust, corrosion products, oxides, paint or other foreign
matter have been completely removed from the surface except for very light
shadows, very slight streaks or slight discolourations caused by rust stain, mill
scale oxides, or slight, tight residues of paint or coating that may remain.
At least 95% of each square inch of surface area shall be free of all visible
residues, and the remainder shall be limited to the light discolouration mentioned
above. Photographic or other visual standards of surface preparation may be
used, as provided in the Appendix of the Steel Structures Painting Manual,
Volume 2 - Systems and Specifications to modify or further define the surface, if
specified in the contract. Further details regarding surface preparation can be
found in the Steel Structures Painting Manual, Volume 1 - Good Painting
Practice.
A Commercial Blast Cleaned Surface Finish is defined as one from which all
oil, grease, dirt, rust scale and foreign matters have been completely removed
from the surface, and all rust, mill scale and oil paint have been completely
removed, except for slight shadows, streaks or discolourations caused by rust
stain or mill scale oxides, or slight, tight residues of paint or coating that may
remain. If the surface is pitted, slight residues of rust or paint may be found in the
bottoms of pits. At least 66% of each square inch of surface area shall be free of
all visible residues and the remainder shall be limited to the light discolouration,
slight staining or light residues mentioned above. Photographic or other visual
standards may be used to modify or further define the surface, if specified in the
contract.
Slight residues of rust and paint may remain on the bottoms of pits.
It is not intended that the surface shall be free of all mill scale, rust and paint. The
remaining mill scale, rust and paint should be tight, and the surface should be
sufficiently abraded to provide good adhesion and bonding of paint.
A Brush-Off Blast Cleaned Surface Finish is defined as one from which all oil,
grease, dirt, rust scale, loose mill scale, loose rust and loose paint or coatings are
removed completely, but tight mill scale and tightly adhered rust, paint and
coatings are permitted to remain, provided that all mill scale and rust have been
exposed to the abrasive blast pattern sufficiently to expose numerous flecks of the
underlying metal, fairly uniformly distributed over the entire surface.
Photographic or other visual standards of surface preparation may be used, as
provided in the Appendix of the Steel Structures Painting Manual, Volume 2 -
Systems and Specifications to further define the surface if specified in the
contract.
2. List, by name, the main components of an abrasive blast unit. Give a brief
description of their functions.
6. How large should the inside diameter of the abrasive hose be in relationship to the
orifice on the nozzle?
7. Identify the recommended length of an abrasive air hose if the length is less than 50
feet.
9. Describe profile.
13. Describe the rules of motion that an operator must observe when abrasive blasting a
surface.
14. Using your own words, define the four abrasive methods of cleaning a surface.
Rationale
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
As an industrial applicator, the equipment and materials you will use can be a threat to
your safety if not handled correctly. Applicators are required to perform their job-related
tasks at extreme heights and in confined spaces, as well as while operating dangerous
equipment and handling dangerous materials.
Outcome
When you have completed this module you will be able to:
Describe safety requirements essential in painting operations.
Prerequisites
Module 1.1 Course Orientation
Objectives
Obtain relevant information on the hazards of products used in the coating
industry.
Understand the relevant sections of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
Resources
Government of Alberta. Occupational Health & Safety Act. 1980 (can be found
at www.gov.ab.ca/qp/ascii/acts/002.TXT).
Evaluation
Obtain 75% on a supervised written test.
Acknowledgements
The technical information in this module has been obtained from the Society for
Protective Coatings, Pittsburgh, and Occupational Health & Safety, Alberta, Canada.
Photographs courtesy of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Association for
Finishing Processes.
Every operation that involves any type of hazard should have a standard operating plan
and a safety plan, whether the work is conducted by in-house or contract personnel. All
personnel have the right to:
learn of any unsafe or unhealthful conditions or operations they will be involved
with, and
Personnel must also be able to report hazardous conditions and conditions suspected of
being hazardous without fear of retaliation. Workers, on the other hand, also have the
responsibility of conducting their work in a safe and healthful manner, correcting or
reporting unsafe or unhealthful conditions and wearing appropriate personal protective
equipment. This includes limiting unsafe or unhealthy exposures as much as possible.
No worker who is working in hazardous conditions should work without the correct
protective clothing.
A safety program is a vital part of every shop conducting cleaning or painting operations.
Each routine operation should have a standard operating procedure that includes a safety
plan. Each non-routine operation should have a special operating plan that includes
safety. Each worker should receive periodic training to keep him/her aware of pertinent
government regulations, potential health hazards and measures that may be taken to
minimize these potential hazards.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Labels should be replaced if torn, lost or illegible. When materials are transferred to
other containers for easier use, these containers must also be properly labeled.
Handling and storage procedures - safety equipment and practice for proper
handling.
Spill or leak procedures - cleanup and disposal procedures (always notify the
Safety Officer).
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Toxic materials are used for both paint applications and cleanup. They can enter the
body via three different routes:
inhaled into the lungs,
Toxic vapours or suspended particles inhaled into the lungs may be rapidly assimilated
into the rest of the body. Limiting exposure, proper ventilation and use of proper
respirators can provide adequate protection. Individual solvent blends in paints vary
widely levels of human toxicity as it is not possible to readily determine the concentration
of each substance.
Ingestion through the mouth usually occurs from contaminated hands (not washed before
eating, drinking or smoking). Hands should be washed before these activities, even when
gloves are worn to prevent contamination.
Skin absorption can only occur through contact. This can be minimized through the use
of proper protective clothing. All contaminated clothing should be removed and disposed
of at the job site or completely cleaned, and the person working with the contaminants
should thoroughly shower before leaving the job site.
Toxic substances fall into four major categories.
Irritants - inflame eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
Dusts include smoke particles from combustion. Gases and some particles may not be
seen by the naked eye.
A cartridge-type respirator may be necessary when working with any of the above-noted
products resulting from painting operations. The MSDSs can provide this information.
As wells, the MSDSs must always be accessible when using chemical products.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Painting procedures may include one or more of the following hazardous operations:
high pressures and airborne particulates from abrasive blasting;
lead, chromate and other heavy metals from removing old paint.
Abrasive and water blasting are by far the most dangerous operations in surface
preparation for painting. High-pressure nozzles (over 100 psi for abrasive and over
30,000 psi for water blasting) pose major threats. Hoses, couplings and the pot pressure
must be checked for soundness and to ensure that the maximum allowable pressure is not
exceeded. The blast nozzle must have a deadman valve so that it will automatically shut
off if it is dropped by the blaster. No attempt should be made to override this or other
safety devices. No safety omissions should be permitted, even for very small blasting
jobs. The blasting area should be posted for No Admittance and the pot tender located
in a protected area behind the blaster so that no one is in the vicinity of the blaster. Each
worker should wear the proper safety equipment, including an air-supplied respirator for
the blaster.
Isolation from the blaster and use of deadman valves are also important during
waterblasting. All electrical operations should be shut down at that time to prevent
electrical shock. Care should be taken to avoid slipping on wet surfaces.
Enclosed areas being cleaned or painted should be well ventilated to prevent the
accumulation of toxic or combustible airborne contaminants. Mechanical equipment
should be grounded, and conductive substrates should be cleaned or coated to prevent
sparking.
Protection of workers and the environment from lead or chromate compounds in dust
generated during removal of old paint are described in SSPC courses on this subject.
Possibly driven by the same attitude that leads people to blast without wearing
respirators, some contractors still prefer manually operated blast machines.
While OSHA might impose a fine, the laws of physics can inflict a far more
costly punishment.
At 80 to 100 psi, air and abrasive exit the blast nozzle at nearly 400 miles per
hour. The abrasive, by itself, can tear through clothing and cut your skin to
ribbons in seconds. But the real threat to your life is the high-pressure, high-
velocity air. Travelling at almost supersonic speed, the air can pass through your
skin and become imbedded in your flesh.
Air that reaches a vein or artery can form a bubble, called an embolism, which
interrupts blood flow. Depending on the size and location, an embolism can
cause anything from minor pain and weakness to a severe stroke and death.
If talk of disability and death cant convince a contractor to switch to modern
remote controls, maybe cost savings will. Without remotes, the contractor must
run back and forth to turn the machine on and off, or pay a laborer to tend the
pot.
Every minute the machine runs without blasting wastes compressor fuel, wastes
abrasive, and adds to the abrasive load that must be cleaned up later.
3
Safety Update, Clemco, Summer 1999, p. 2.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Hazards include:
toxic solvents,
flammable solvents,
toxic pigments (lead, chromium and other heavy metal pigments), and/or
Coating materials should be stored under cover in well-ventilated areas away from
sparks, flames and direct sunshine. Eye protection, gloves, protective skin cream, and
other appropriate equipment and clothing should be used during paint mixing and
application. Individual solvents blended with paints vary widely both in solvency and in
human toxicity. They can remove moisture and natural oils from the skin to make the
skin more sensitive to other irritants. Paints should not be stored, mixed or applied at
temperatures near or above their flashpoints (the minimum temperature at which a liquid
gives off enough vapour to become ignited in the presence of a spark or flame).
Flammable liquids such as turpentine and toluene have flashpoints below 100F;
combustible liquids have flashpoints of 100F or greater. The flashpoints of individual
solvents vary greatly; so do the explosive limits and concentration ranges in air at which
combustion may occur.
When mixing and applying paints, the following precautions should be observed:
protect eyes, face, hands and skin;
Airless guns should only be used by trained personnel and with protective guards. They
should never be pointed at any part of the body since they can penetrate flesh. Figures 1
and 2 show the effects of paint injection into the body. The nozzle guards should never
be removed. Reversible tips simplify removal of clogs.
Airless spray equipment, material hoses and spray guns are rated for different
pressures3000 and 5000 psi.
For example, using a 56:1 ratio pump with an in air pressure of 80 psi results in:
In this example, you must use a material hose and spray gun rated at 5000 psi.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Support Operations
Tall structures - towers, bridges, etc.
High Places
Safety requirements for ladders, scaffolding and stages can be found in the OSHA
Occupational Health & Safety Standards (29 CFR 1910), Sections 1910.25 (Portable
Wood Ladders), 1910.26 (Portable Metal Ladders), 1910.28 (Safety Requirements for
Scaffolding) and 1910.29 (Manually Propelled Ladder Stands and Scaffolds [Towers]).
use only when the top of the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the point of
support.
scaffolding should be clean and free of abrasive, mud, grease and other debris;
Additional requirements for swing (suspended) scaffolds suspended by block and tackle
are:
secure life lines to personnel on scaffolding;
Scissor-lifts, the most common type, only go straight up. Booms can provide greater
access where there are obstructions. Power stages should have free-fall safety devices
with hand controls in case of power failure.
When painting bridges, towers or other tall structures where there are no scaffolds or lifts,
safety nets or harnesses should be utilized. They not only provide safety, but also result
in better workmanship. Safety harnesses are preferred to safety belts because they
distribute the force imposed by the safety line during a fall. A variety of safety harnesses
are available.
Confined spaces with limited ventilation and access may have hazards that are not easily
detected. An engineer should check a confined space for safety before anyone enters it.
Paints with safety solvents (relatively high flashpoints) should be used in these areas.
Hand and power tools, and other electrical equipment (including lighting) should be non-
sparking and explosion-proof. Because paint solvent vapours are heavier than air,
ventilation of confined spaces requires exit of contaminated air from the lowest point.
Safety harnesses and lines leading to a worker outside the confined area should be used to
permit rescue in the event of an emergency.
Remote Locations
When doing fieldwork at remote locations, personnel should be prepared to respond to
possible accidents. Access to a telephone and medical treatment should be established.
Knowledge of first aid, especially CPR, is also beneficial for immediate action.
When you have completed this objective you will be able to:
Hazards in painting operations can be greatly reduced by the use of personal protective
clothing, respirators and other personal protective equipment.
Clothing
Protective garments must resist chemical attack from three different routes of entry.
permeation chemical works its way through the suit,
Contaminated clothing should be discarded at the job site or thoroughly cleaned before
reuse. Personnel exposed to contamination should thoroughly shower and put on clean
clothes before leaving the work area. Torn clothing should not be worn because it can
get caught in machinery or on structural projections. Trouser cuffs and ties present
similar problems.
Protective headgear can prevent devastating injuries to the head. Selection of the proper
head protection for different hazards is especially important. Protective headware
includes:
hard hats,
hair covers.
Bump hats, made of lightweight plastic, protect only against minor bumps. They should
be worn when there are only minor head hazards.
Hair covers made of breathable fabric or lightweight materials are intended to prevent
hair from becoming caught in moving machine parts. They are adjustable to ensure
proper fit.
Eye protection is available in many forms to protect eyes from flying particles, dust,
sparks, splashes and harmful rays. The appropriate type of eye protection should be used
for each job.
Safety glasses have impact-resistant frames and lenses that meet OSHA and American
National Safety Institute (ANSI) standards. They may also have side shields, cups or
tinted lenses to provide additional protection. Safety glasses with prescription lenses
should be available from all company safety offices. They should be cleaned as
described by the supplier and stored in a clean, dry place.
Safety goggles are also impact resistant. They form a secure seal around each eye to
provide protection from all sides. They may have direct or indirect ventilation to
eliminate fogging.
Safety shields or helmets are used for splash protection, or when grinding, welding or
working with molten materials. They are ordinarily worn with goggles or safety glasses.
Hearing protection can prevent loss of hearing that may occur over time from repeated
exposure to excessively loud noises. Muffs, plugs and canal caps offer a variety of
devices to protect our hearing.
Ear plugs of reformable rubber or plastic materials are positioned in the outer part of the
ear. They may be disposable or reusable. The latter should be cleaned and properly
stored after use. They may reduce noise levels by 50 decibels.
Canal caps (headband plugs) close off the ear canal at the opening. A flexible headband
ensures a close fit. They must also be cleaned and properly stored after use.
Safety shoes can reduce the approximately 12,000 accidental foot injuries that occur each
year. Steel-reinforced shoes are designed to protect feet from common machine
accidentsfalling or rolling objects, cuts and punctures. The entire toe box and insole
are usually reinforced.
Safety boots offer more protection from splash and spark hazards. Neoprene or nitrile
boots are often required when handling caustics, solvents or oils. Quick-release fasteners
may permit speedy removal in case a hazardous substance gets in the boot. Slip-resistant
soles are required for both shoes and boots, if a slip hazard is present.
Safety gloves come in different designs, lengths and chemical compositions. The length
should provide full protection and the material should be resistant to the chemical
materials with which it will come into contact. Selection of the right work glove can
protect you from unnecessary injury or contamination. Commonly used protective gloves
include the following.
Disposable gloves - usually lightweight plastic; protect from mild irritants.
Fabric gloves - cotton or other fabric; improve grip, minimal protection from
contaminants.
Half masks - fit over nose and mouth; cartridges absorb gases and vapours, select
cartridge for particular vapour or gas.
Personnel using respirators must do the following for full protection from respiratory
hazards:
obtain knowledge of respiratory hazard;
There are many hazardous operations involved in coating industrial structures and
equipment. Everyone involved in these operations must also be involved with safety.
Workers must conduct their operations in the manner written into standard operating
procedures. They must also follow safety plans prepared for their protection.
2. In detail, explain how toxic substances can enter the human body.
4. List, from your personal experience and this module, the hazards of surface
preparation.
6. What components require grounding when applying material with an airless spray
unit?