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Respiratory Protection |
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The ability to breath, and to have clean air is extremely important
to all workers. It is inevitable that a worker working in the painting
industry will be exposed to a wide variety of chemicals and materials
as they work through the day. There are many ways to protect a worker
from being over-exposed to these materials. The coating industry is
continuously finding ways to make the paints and coatings safer by
removing or replacing extremely hazardous chemicals with others that
are less toxic or not toxic at all. Contaminations that get into a
person's lungs can be transmitted all through the body by way of the
blood stream. Lungs can be damaged severely by being exposed to various
types of vapors and dust particles.
There are basically two types of contaminates that can find their
way into a worker's lungs. |
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Dust (Particulates)
This is a powder or solid particle. The dust can be very fine. When
breathed in, some of these particles can find there way into the
lung and become lodged there. As time goes on the particles can
accumulate and either plug up the lung or irritate it enough to
cause inflammation, infection, or cancer. All dusts can be a problem
if over-exposure continues over a long period of time. But some
are far worse than others. Particles like Silica, Asbestos, Heavy
Metals (Arsenic, Mercury, Lead, etc.), have a very detrimental effect
on the lung and on the person if large exposures are allowed to
continue. These particles should be pulled away from the worker
(vacuums, extraction fans), and the worker must wear appropriate
dust masks to filter out the dust before it enters the lungs.
Surface preparation can generate a lot of dust. Even drywall dust
now has to be considered a hazardous material because it contains
a small amount of silica. Disposable "HEPA" filters must
be used to ensure proper protection of a worker sanding, or cleaning
up around drywall filler dust. The HEPA filter is designed to remove
extremely small particles and works much better than the standard
disposable dust mask.
Spray Painting not only generates fumes (solvent gases) but also
a level of particles (dry paint and pigment in the air). Even if
the solvent is water and the paint appears non-toxic, the pigments
and resins in the coating could be toxic if breathed in or ingested.
A high grade dust mask will protect the worker from any dust in
the air even if it is said to be non-toxic.
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Disposable
Dust Masks
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Hepa Filter style Dust Mask (Respirator)
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Fumes and Gases
Fumes and gases are generated usually by the cleaning of surfaces
(cleaning solvents, washing solutions) or during the application of
paints. The solvent used in the coating must evaporate into the air.
These gases have to be removed from the air (fans, natural or mechanical
ventilation) and the worker must be protected from any of these gases
getting into the lungs. There are two methods of protecting workers
from toxic gases and fumes.
 This page is a demonstration of some of the internal contents of MPI Online Training
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