Safe Car Painting

Due to everyday constant contact with various chemical compounds, which, for the most part, are dangerous to human health, work in a car workshop requires the painter to have in-depth knowledge in the field of occupational safety, the specifics of various products and the observance of procedures whose task is to protect health .

Danger.

As research shows, the majority of accidents during the paintwork in the car workshop is caused by a human factor :

Minor oversights, improper handling of paint and varnish products, or at least dirt in the workplace - all this can cause a danger to the health and life of the painter. Sources of danger in the paint industry can be divided into three factors:

- fire;

- explosion;

Reactivity.

Speaking about fire safety measures, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact whether the electrical devices used in the repair shop meet the requirements of the norms of the electrical safety standards and whether their technical inspections are carried out regularly.

All tools used in the workshop must be made of non-sparking material. This requirement is especially important when using combustible materials with a low autoignition temperature, which is characterized by paint and varnish materials. Most of these materials additionally have the ability to accumulate electrostatic charges, so you should use clothes and shoes made of antistatic materials, and make sure that the floor of the room is made of conductive materials. The owner or head of the workshop should provide all employees with training on fire safety.

Paintwork materials, because of their characteristics, can be a source of explosion . The vapors of many of them are heavier than air, they can accumulate near the floor and form an explosive mixture together with air. Proper and serviceable ventilation of rooms and paint stations will help to prevent the formation of particularly high concentrations of vapors.

The cause of the explosion may also be improper storage. The explosion may cause a prolonged exposure to high-temperature liquids (highly flammable liquids) (for example, storage in an unoccupied room).

Reactivity is associated with the mixing of one product with another, mixing with which is not recommended by the manufacturer of paint and varnish products. Such an action may be related to the desire to obtain imaginary savings, for example, by using inexpensive substances for solidification or dissolution. This can cause unforeseen chemical reactions, not only changing the properties of the product, but also dangerous to the health of the painter.

The guarantee of safety is provided only in case of using those products that are provided and indicated in the technical cards of the product developer. Therefore, it is necessary to read the labels and product safety cards carefully, which the supplier is obliged to attach.

The product safety map contains basic information on its constituent physico-chemical and toxic properties, potential hazard for people when used improperly; It describes the actions for first aid; She informs about acceptable means of fire fighting, personal protection, recommendations on transportation and storage, behavior with waste. Warning maps are also described in detail in this map.

Individual protection.

The greatest danger to the health of the painter is the inappropriate handling of products with which painters deal every day: they can cause poisoning and cause serious changes in the human body. Very often this is due to the fact that painters are not aware of the degree of danger to which they are exposed, ignoring the norms and rules of safety.

The process of repairing cars at each stage is associated with the release of dust or vapors (volatile organic compounds). A person is exposed to the danger of penetration of harmful substances through the eyes, esophagus, respiratory tract and skin.

The most dangerous chemical compounds are isocyanates . They are present in two-component paint and varnish materials. They are widely used in the process of restoration (repair) painting because of their excellent qualities: they ensure the durability of the paint and give it excellent shine. Isocyanates react with water and easily penetrate the human body; May cause skin irritation, allergies, changes in the airways and the nervous system.

It should also be remembered that not only isocyanates, but all vapors and dust are dangerous to humans. The most characteristic signs of poisoning include: lacrimation, sore throat, dry cough, nausea, fatigue and irritability.

Therefore, in the preparation area for painting, in the paint chamber and during the cleaning of the instrument, it is necessary to use appropriate clothing that protects the body and also to provide fresh, clean air.

Eye safety is provided by goggles, masks, masks with a helmet and fresh air. Respiratory tracts are best protected by respirators (during grinding and polishing). Gloves and shoes, as well as overalls, minimize the possibility of contact dangerous compounds with the skin.

Safe painting for the environment .

Globally, the automotive repair industry emits 7% of the total emissions of hazardous volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere . They are contained in paints, soils, diluents, rinses, putties, aerosols and are the main culprit of photochemical pollution of the atmosphere. After penetrating into the atmosphere, they react, under the influence of sunlight, with nitrogen oxide, resulting in a low layer above the earth forming a layer of ozone , which adversely affects all living organisms and plants.

The composition of individual groups of volatile organic compounds in the emissions of a typical body shop looks approximately as follows:

- bases and colorless varnishes - 52%;

- primers - 36%;

- one-component paints - 11%;

- preparatory and cleaning products - 1%.

In order to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, many countries and international organizations have introduced legislative restrictions requiring manufacturers of paint systems to promote pro-ecological solutions, such as the use of water-soluble paints . The most stringent standards in relation to emissions of harmful substances in the atmosphere are in the EU countries.

As you can see, safe painting is not only observance of safety rules, but also work aimed at the future, the result of which is the desire to use water-soluble paints that are safe for the environment and for each of us.