Putting your safety first - Resene

Precautions to be adopted forspraying and drying of sprayedarticles.• All spraying and the drying of sprayed articlesshall be carried out in accordance with therequirements of the Regulations.• The spraying of all isocyanate-containingpaints must be carried out in a properlydesigned and constructed spray booth.• The mechanical ventilation system providedmust be interlocked with the air supply tothe spray gun.• When operators, whether spraying or not,are required to work inside a spray boothwhile spraying is in progress, they must wearan airline respirator.• The compressed air supply for the respiratorsmust be taken from an uncontaminatedsource.• In addition to the recommended respiratoryand eye protection, spray operators mustwear gloves and a head covering in the caseof respirators that leave the hair exposed.• Mechanical ventilation of the booth mustbe maintained after spraying ceases untilthe work area is free of all residual spraymist.Isocyanate over-exposureSymptoms• Sore eyes.• Running nose.• Sore throat.• Coughing.• Wheezing.• Fever, breathlessness and cough.First aid treatmentInhalationThis may be either from the vapour or from anaerosol. Remove the affected person to fresh air.Keep at rest. Obtain immediate medical attention.Eye contactIf isocyanate has entered the eyes, flush themimmediately with direct mains water or sterilewater from an eye wash bottle for at least 15minutes, holding the eyelids apart. Obtainimmediate medical attention.Skin contactWash the skin immediately with copious amountsof water and soap (if available). Remove heavilycontaminated clothing immediately. Obtain medicalattention if skin dermatitis appears.IngestionDO NOT induce vomiting. If the person is conscious,give between 250ml and 500ml of milk or waterto drink. Take to hospital without delay. DO NOTgive anything by mouth to an unconscious person.Removal of polyurethane paintSanding downWhen isocyanate paints are fully cured, that is,they have been applied for more than 24 hours atroom temperature or heated for one hour at 70C,and are sanded down, the dust produced will notpresent an isocyanate hazard. This is because fullycured paints contain no free isocyanates. In suchinstances a dust mask should be worn to provideprotection from the general nuisance dust present.Where new paint that may not be fully cured issanded down, the dust will contain free isocyanates.A particulate respirator fitted with Class H filtersshould be worn. Where practical, the use of wetsanding methods is recommended as a means ofreducing the amount of dust generated.18