Paints and Solvents Training Guide
(Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work : A Guide
to Effective Construction Safety Training" series) |
|
Robin Baker, Robert
Downey, Mary Ruth Gross, Charles Reiter
Labor Occupational Health Program
(LOHP) School of Public Health,
University of California, Berkeley Ca.
These tailgate/toolbox
talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The
complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program
at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org)
The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact
ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org). |
Before you begin
the meeting...
- Does this topic
relate to the work the crew is doing? If not, choose another topic.
- Has the crew
completed basic Hazard Communication training? It will help them understand
this topic.
- Did you read
this Training Guide and fill in the blanks where the
appears? (To find the information you need, look over the Safety Walkaround
Checklist for this topic.)
- Did you bring
labeled containers and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for a few
of the paints and solvents used on the site?
Begin: Did
you know that construction workers have been pulled over for drunk driving
when they really havent been drinking at all? It can happen when
they are intoxicated from paints or solvents on the job.
Everyone knows that some paints and solvents are dangerous because they
are highly flammable, but you may not realize how dangerous it can be
to breathe their vapors. Just like alcohol, paint or solvent vapors can
make you lose your coordination and cause accidents. Over a period of
time, they can also destroy your liver and other body organs.
You or a crew member may want to add a personal story about paints
or solvents.
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Next, discuss
with the crew what jobs and equipment may cause excessive noise
at this particular job site:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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ASK
THE CREW THESE QUESTIONS:
|
After each question,
give the crew time to suggest possible answers. Use the information
following each question to add points that no one mentions.
1. What symptoms
might warn you that youve had too much exposure to paint or solvent
vapors?
• Dizziness
• Lack of coordination
|
•
A lightheaded feeling
• Trouble concentrating |
2. If you dont
have these warning signs, does it mean that theres no problem?
- No. With some
paints and solvents, even a small exposure over a long period of time
can permanently damage your liver, kidneys, and nervous system
(including the brain).
- If your exposure
is high enough (such as in a confined space), some paint and solvent
vapors may cause immediate coma or death.
- Paints, even
some used today, may contain lead. Lead is highly toxic and can
cause anemia, kidney damage, brain damage, and reproductive problems.
(Lead is covered in more detail in a separate Training Guide.)
3. Are vapors
the only health hazard of paints and solvents?
- No. Some chemicals
can also damage the skin. Your skin may become dry and
cracked, or you may get a rash or burn. Other chemicals can go right
through the skin
and get into your bloodstream. Certain chemicals do both.
4. Some products
are more hazardous than others. How can you find out what
specific chemicals are in a product, and what their effects might be?
- Dont
open the container until youve found out whats in the
product and what the
hazards may be.
- Check the label.
You may find a list of ingredients, a safety warning, or both. All
containers must be labeled, or a labeled container must be in the immediate
area.
- Read the Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product. MSDSs are required
by law, and everyone working on the site has a right to see them.
(MSDSs
are covered in more detail during basic Hazard Communication training,
which everyone on the crew should already have completed.)
5.
What can the MSDS tell you about a product?
- The hazardous
ingredients in the product, and the safe exposure level for
each
one. Cal/OSHA has set permissible exposure limits (PELs) for
many hazardous
chemicals. The company has to keep your exposure below these limits.
- The flammability
of the product, and fire prevention measures you need to take.
- What kinds of
personal protective equipment you need (like a respirator or
gloves).
- The volatility
of the product (the likelihood that vapors will get in the air).
- How to store
the product safely. For example, some products should be stored away
from heat, light, or water. Some should never be stored near other products
with which
they could have a chemical reaction. (These are called incompatible
chemicals.)
- How to dispose
of the product safely. For example, some products should never be
dumped into the drain or sewer.
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On this job,
you can get MSDSs from-
Give the
name and location of the person to see:__________
|
|
Let's look
at the labels and MSDSs for some products we use on the job.
Show the
crew the sample product containers and MSDSs you brought to the
meeting. Explain them briefly.
_________________________________________________
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6. What are some
ways to protect yourself from toxic paints and solvents?
- Use a safer
product if possible. Some products are much less hazardous than
others.
- Work in a well-ventilated
area if you can. A fan or open door may not be enough. If youre
working outdoors, try to stay upwind from paint and solvent vapors.
- Stop what
youre doing if you notice symptoms. You may need to change the
way youre doing the work, or wear protective equipment (like a
respirator or gloves).
- Use a respirator.
If you need one, we must provide the right type of respirator, make
sure it fits, teach you how to use it, and give you a physical to make
sure youre able to wear it safely. (Respirators are covered
in more detail in a separate Training Guide.)
|
We ___will
or ___will not require respirators on this job.
If required,
respirators are available at:___________________
|
- Keep paints and
solvents off your skin and out of your eyes. If necessary,
wear gloves and goggles. If you do get paints or solvents in your eyes,
flush with water for 15 minutes. Never wash your hands or clothing with
hazardous solvents.
- Dont
eat, drink, or smoke on the job. Anything you put in your mouth
could have been contaminated by chemicals. Wash up first.
7. How do you
prevent fires and explosions when working with flammable liquids?
- Read the label
and MSDS to find out what special precautions to take.
- Dont
smoke.
- Avoid heat
and sparksfor example, from sparking power tools.
- Keep flammable
liquids away from rags and other materials that might ignite.
- Bond and ground
the containers when you transfer flammable liquids.
- Store
flammables in tightly closed, approved containers or metal storage cabinets.
- Keep fire
extinguishers readily available, and make sure they are the right
type.
Different fire extinguishers are needed for different kinds of fires.
CAL/OSHA REGULATIONS
Explain:
Most of the safety measures weve talked about are required by Cal/OSHA.
We have to take these precautionsits the law. I have a Checklist
of the Cal/OSHA regulations on paints and solvents. If youd like
to know more, see me after the meeting.
COMPANY RULES
(Only if applicable.)
Besides the Cal/OSHA regulations, we have some additional company
rules about noise.
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Discuss
company rules:_____________________________
________________________________________________
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COMMENTS FROM
THE CREW
Ask:
Do you have any
other concerns about paints & solvents? Do you see any problems on
our job? (Let the steward answer first, if there is one.)
What about other jobs youve worked on? Have you had any experience
with paints & solvents that might help us work safer on this job?
GENERAL
SAFETY DISCUSSION
|
This is a time
to discuss all safety concerns, not just today's topic. Keep your notes
on this page before, during and after the safety meeting.
Are you aware
of any hazards from other crews? Point out any hazards other crews
are creating that this crew should know about. Tell the crew what you
intend to do about those hazards.
Do we have any
old business? Discuss past issues/problems. Report progress of
investigations and action taken.
Any new business?
Any accidents/near misses/complaints? Discuss accidents, near misses,
and complaints that have happened since the last safety meting. Also recognize
the safety contributions made by members of the crew.
Please remember,
we want to hear from you about any health and safety issues that come
up. If we don't know about problems, we can't take action to fix them.
To complete the
training session:
- Circulate Sign-Off
Form.
- Assign one
or more crew member(s) to help with next safety meeting.
- Refer action
items for follow-up. (Use the sample Hazard Report Form in the
Reference Section of this binder, or your companys own form.)
Sign Off Form
PAINTS & SOLVENTS
Date Prepared:_________________________ |
By:____________________ |
Project
Name/No.______________________ |
Location:_______________ |
NAMES
OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED THIS SAFETY MEETING
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Tailgate
Meetings That Work : Collection
Published in June, 1994 by: Labor Occupational Health Program, School
of Public Health, 2515 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley,
CA 94720. Phone: (510) 642-5507.
Permission is granted to duplicate these materials for non-profit educational
purposes, provided that copies are not offered for sale.
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author
and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent.
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