Protective Coatings Application

Electricity and Air Supply

© Copyright 2016 Fitz-Coatings Ltd

 Electricity and Air Supply

Objective: To understand the Health and Safety issues with the use of electricity and air supply.
The protective coatings applicator and general operative will use electricity and air supply in their duties.
Electricity and air are the most common form of power used in the protective coatings application
industry.
Electricity and air can be hazardous in untrained hands.

There are a number of tools powered by air and electricity in the

coatings industry.

The following tools are generally powered by electricity or air:

Grinders.
Chippers.
Paint Mixers.
Power wire-brushes.
Needle guns.

Needle Gun in Operation

This video demonstrates the use of an air powered needle gun to

remove coatings/corrosion on a steel structure.

Restrictions may be placed on the use of this tool due to the level
of vibration. Monitoring of the process is therefore essential when
required by regulation.

Low vibration tools are available, however some vibration still

exists.

The needle guns are used for removing paints as well as rust and
scale.

The needles are forced against the substrate as demonstrated.

Electric powered needle guns are also available.

Equipment

Within the coatings industry, air and electricity are used in a

number of items of plant and equipment.

Typically these include:

Dust boxes and collection units.

Grit and abrasive removal units.
Washing units.
Abrasive blast cleaning equipment.
Spray painting equipment.
Miscellaneous small tools.

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 Equipment

Other items of equipment also include:

Vacuum units.(grit collection)

Heaters.
De-humidification units.
Compressors of various sizes.

There are also various associated small tools.

Lighting

Lighting is used for various tasks including:

Abrasive blast cleaning.

Painting.
Cleaning.
Inspection.

Note: Intrinsically safe lighting may be a requirement, depending

upon the task

N.B. In the USA, SSPC Guide 12 - Guide for illumination of

Industrial Painting Projects should be referred to for
comprehensive information on lighting requirements during surface
preparation and painting.

Electricity

Electricity can be very dangerous and lethal in the wrong hands,

remember:

Electricity can kill.

Electric shock is classified as a major hazard.

There is no advance warning.

Severity is related to the amount of current and time taken to

pass through the body.

On certain sites the personnel could be exposed to the risk of

electric shock. In such cases, appropriate lookout/tagout
(isolation) procedures must be observed.

This process involves blocking the flow of energy from the power
source to the equipment with a padlock or chain, or by removing a
component such as a fuse or circuit breaker.

Tags are placed on each locking device to identify the party(s)

locking out the power source.

The Safety Management System will define the process used on

the lookout/tagout (isolation) system.

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 Lock out/tag out
Lock and tag is a safety procedure which is used in industry to
ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not
started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or
servicing work. It requires that hazardous power sources be
"isolated and rendered inoperative" before any repair procedure is
started.

"Lock and tag" works in conjunction with a lock usually locking

the device or the power source with the hasp, and placing it in
such a position that no hazardous power sources can be turned
on. The procedure requires that a tag is affixed to the locked
device indicating that it should not be turned on.

Direct and Alternating Current

Batteries, fuel cells and solar cells all produce something called
direct current (DC). The positive and negative terminals of a
battery are always, respectively, positive and negative. Current
always flows in the same direction between those two terminals.

The power that comes from a power plant, on the other hand, is
c alled alternating current (AC). The direction of the current
reverses, or alternates, 60 times per second (in the U.S.) or 50
times per second (in Europe, for example).

The big advantage that alternating current provides for the power
grid is the fact that it is relatively easy to change the voltage of
the power, using a device called a transformer.

Electricity
Electricity is a type of energy fuelled by the transfer of electrons
from positive and negative points within a conductor.

The more free electrons a material has, the better it conducts.

There are three primary electrical parameters: the volt, the ampere
and the ohm.

Volt
A Volt is a unit of pressure.

This pressure that causes the electrons to flow is known as the

ElectroMotive Force (EMF).

One volt is the amount of electromotive force required to push a

current of one ampere through a conductor with a resistance of
one ohm

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 Ampere
An Amp is a measure of the amount of current flowing in a circuit.
The more current flowing, the higher the amps.

The ampere defines the flow rate of electric current.

When one coulomb (or 6.241 x 1018 electrons) flows past a given
point on a conductor in one second, it is defined as a current of
one ampere.

Conversely, a coulomb is the quantity of electricity carried in 1

second by a current of 1 ampere.

Ohm
An ohm is a measure of how much a material resists a flowing
current.

The ohm is the unit of resistance in a conductor.

The amount of resistance in a conductor is determined by its size,

its composition (e.g. copper or aluminum), and its temperature.

A conductor's resistance:

• Increases as its length increases.

• Increases as its diameter decreases.

• Increases as its temperature increases.

Electrical Wires and Cables

Always assume that electric items such as wires, cables, plugs

etc. are live.

Never tamper with electric cables, wires, junction boxes etc.

Always report any visible damage to the wires, cables and

equipment.

Remember you cannot see electricity and it can be lethal.

Causes of electrical accidents

The main causes of electrical accidents include:

Failure to isolate.

Faulty connections.

Damaged equipment.

Poor maintenance.

Unskilled personnel.

Failure to earth.

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 Electricity

There are some general guidelines with electricity:

Inspect equipment before use.

Report defects.
Assume electrical circuits are live.
Switch off at the socket before removing the plug.
Learn about electric shock treatment.
Ensure if specific testing is necessary on electrical
equipment, this is conducted and tagged.

Electricity

A number of general rules apply before and when working with

electricity and electrical equipment including:

Check for worn and damaged cables or equipment.

Ensure all connections have the correct plugs, fuses etc.
Switch off the equipment when not in use.
Never leave tools around a work place.

Electricity

Some basic things that should not be done when working with
electricity:

Never-

Attempt unauthorized use, repair or maintenance.

Improvise a junction box.

Force a plug into the wrong socket.

Use the wrong fuse.

Leave cables lying around where they can get damaged.

Inspection of Equipment

Always check cables for wear and tear and damage.

If there are doubts about the quality of the cable always get them
checked with a qualified technician.

Ensure that supply cables do not get 'snagged' around scaffold

etc. and are not left in places where damage is possible i.e.
doorways.

All high voltage cables should be armored and clearly identified.

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 Use of Correct Equipment

Always ensure you know the equipment and do not abuse it.

Ensure that the right plugs and sockets are used.

Never force the plug into the socket. If it is does not fit there will
be a reason!

If it does not fit do not use it.

If you are unsure about the plug connection or power

requirements, always seek advice - never take risks.

Equipment Voltage

Most items of plant, equipment and tools will be 110 volt or similar
safety voltage.

A transformer may be required to achieve the reduced voltage

from a higher voltage.

Electrical setup and testing should only be conducted by a trained

competent person.

Check the voltages used on each and every site.

If in doubt, do not use the equipment.

Electrical Grounding Requirements

All electrical equipment should be grounded (earthed). Even non
electrical equipment with moving parts, such as an airless spray
gun should be grounded to ensure there is no build up of
electricity (static). This electricity can be very dangerous.

Grounding can be achieved by connecting electrical equipment

and wiring systems to the earth by a wire or other conductor.

The primary purpose of grounding is to reduce the risk of serious

electric shock from any current leaking into uninsulated
conductive parts of an appliance, power tool, or other electrical
device. In a properly grounded system, such leaking current
(called fault current) is carried away harmlessly.

Although most electrical systems have fuses or circuit breakers

for protection against a major fault current or short circuit, the
human body may be fatally shocked by a current of less than one
ampere, which is well below the point at which a fuse or breaker
will operate.

Grounding helps prevent such a hazard from occurring. In some

cases, however, such as when a person handles an electrical
device while standing on a wet surface, there is a risk of fatal
shock from a leaking current even from a properly grounded
electrical circuit.

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 Air Supply

The air supply usually comes from compressors.

Compressors are available in various sizes to suit the

requirements of the job.

Compressor sizes used in the coatings industry generally vary

between 250 to 900 CFM.

All connections to the compressor should have safety devices

attached such as safety springs and wires.

Never tamper with the compressor controls unless trained in this

process.

Compressed Air

Air blasting, as the name implies, uses air to operate the

equipment.

This air is then pressurised in an abrasive blast unit.

The pressures used in the blast cleaning industry can be

extremely high.

Incorrect use of this pressurised air can be lethal with the use of
untrained personnel.

Abrasive blast cleaning operatives and assistants have to be

trained to use the equipment and have an understanding of the
hazards associated with pressurised equipment.

Compressed Air

There are some general guidelines with compressed air:

Inspect all lines, hoses and couplings before use.

Change damaged equipment immediately.
Check quick release couplings
Check the operating pressure of the equipment.
Do not tamper or adjust settings unless you have been
specifically trained on the task.

Compressed Air

Some general guidelines:

Never dust yourself down with compressed air.

Never use damaged, worn or under designed parts.
Never use air to dust down, blow debris about.
Never indulge in horseplay.
Never under estimate the power of compressed air.

Note: Compressed air is sometimes used to blown down the initial

dusts and abrasive after blast cleaning. Precautions must be
taken

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 Compressed Air
Misuse of compressed air can be lethal.

A misdirected blast of compressed air can "pop" an eyeball from

its socket, rupture an eardrum or cause a brain hemorrhage.

Directed at the mouth, it can rupture the lungs and intestines.

If used to blow dust or dirt off clothing or body parts, it can cause
bubbles of air to enter the blood stream, even through a layer of
clothing, and inflate and rupture body organs.

If you are working in a dusty environment, simply dust yourself

down manually, remove PPE and RPE and shower.

Note: A light vacuum can also be conducted to remove dusts

from overalls or coveralls.

Couplings and Hoses

Check couplings and hoses before using the line under pressure.

Always look out for wear, tear and damage before and during use.

Report any wear, tear and damage to the hoses and associated
equipment.

Always ensure that connected couplings have safety springs

attached.

Use reputable suppliers of equipment.

Equipment and Pressure Supply

Make sure the unit that is receiving the compressed air is

designed to take the pressures supplied, e.g.. airless spray units
and abrasive blast units and abrasive blast hoses.

Check the maximum pressure requirements of the equipment

which should be clearly displayed on the equipment.

Risk assessments/analysis and method statements should be

available for all tasks and the message conveyed to all personnel.

Summary
This training unit reviewed the requirements for health and safety
relating to the use of electricity and power.

We reviewed the equipment that uses electricity and air in the

protective coatings industry.

We also reviewed 'what is electricity' and the need to be vigilant

when using electricity and air.

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