Putting your safety first - Resene

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Safety firstAsk yourself these questions.1. Are the gloves resistant to the chemicals beingused? Gloves that swell and distort allowsolvents to penetrate to the skin.2. Are the overalls impervious to the chemicalsbeing used?3. Do you need regular safety boots or antistaticboots?4. Does the process used require earthing straps?5. Is the work area well ventilated?6. Where are the extracted fumes going to?7. Do you have the correct type of respirator forthe job? (A dust mask will not protect againstsolvents).8. Does the respirator fit? (They are not effectiveunless a good face seal is being achieved.People with beards, side burns, glasses ormissing dentures may need a different typeof respirator to ensure protection).9. Are you wearing your respirator if required?If not, why not? Is it uncomfortable? (Adifferent brand or style of respirator may bemore comfortable and therefore more readilyworn).10. Are the cartridges being replaced often enoughand is cartridge use being logged?11. Do you have air-fed respirators when workinginside tanks or in other areas where ventilationis poor? N.B. Those working inside tanks musthave a ‘partner’ on the outside.12. Where is the air supply coming from? Is itreally fresh air?13. If using compressed air, is the air beingcontaminated by oil from the compressor? Isthe intake near a high traffic area where airis laden with carbon monoxide?14. Are the correct goggles being worn? (Normalsafety goggles do not protect the eyes whenwelding or working around U.V. lamps).15. Are you removing your gloves and washingyour hands before smoking, eating or usingthe toilet?Common sense should be used whenspraying paint.1. Always spray with the wind.2. Use tarpaulins or screens to protect otherpeople from the spray.3. Never spray toward one another.4. Use gun extenders to reduce exposure.What about first aid?1. Do you know what to do if someone isovercome by fumes?2. Are eye wash facilities available at all timesin the work area?3. How far away is the shower for washing largerspills off the skin?4. Do you know what to do if someone swallowsa chemical?5. Do you have a SDS available for each productbeing used?6
What if there is a fire?When paints, inks and other chemicals burn theydecompose. Any nitrogen containing material canevolve cyanide gas when it burns. This includesmaterials that contain epoxy hardener, polyamide,melamine, polyurea, polyurethane and even naturalmaterials such as wool. Carbon monoxide will beevolved in large amounts from any burning material.1. Where is your assembly point?2. If the wind is blowing fumes towards yourassembly point, do you have an alternativeplace to go?3. In a fire, cans and drums of material nearbycan heat up, building up pressure inside. Thereis a real risk of these containers exploding.What happens to drums and tins whenthey are empty?Even when empty there will be some materialaround the inside walls of the drum. Dependingon the type of chemical it could be dangerous toput water or waste solvents in the drum. Somematerials react with water and this could cause apressure build up in the drum or even an explosion.1. Do you take empty drums home to use asincinerators or barbecues?2. What sort of toxic fumes might be producedwhen the drums are used in this way?Medical surveillanceThere are a number of tests available that willshow if you are being overexposed to certainhazards.Checks should be done on:• Hearing.• Eyesight.• Blood tests can show levels of lead, cadmiumand other chemicals.• Urine tests will show metabolites for specificsolvents.Are you monitoring your health and the health ofany employees?Further informationContainer labels and Safety Data Sheets have information about the possible hazards of the chemicalsbeing used. They advise how the product should be used safely and what to do in the event of anemergency. Resene SDS’s are available from the Resene website or call 1800 738 383 in Australiaor 0800 RESENE (737 363) in New Zealand.7
Page 1 and 2: PuttingyoursafetyfirstUnderstanding
Page 3 and 4: Surface coatingsWhat are paints mad
Page 5 and 6: Organic solventsUnder the Health an
Page 7: InhalationTo help a victim of over-
Page 11 and 12: • If your child has more severe s
Page 13 and 14: Methods of removing paintMethodAbra
Page 15 and 16: 5. Lack of oxygen and confinedspace
Page 17 and 18: Protecting your eyesCauses of eye i
Page 19 and 20: Polyurethanes and lacquersPolyureth
Page 21 and 22: Personal hygieneThis is important i
Page 23 and 24: Donate:Donate to charityIf you just
Page 25 and 26: The Resene checklist - part twoBe P

Putting your safety first - Resene

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?