Introduction

Common HSE - Risks associated with coatings

• Health - Inhalation and skin contact
• Safety - Explosion and fire
• Environment - Emission to air (VOC), to water and to soil

Sources for health hazards when using paints

Binders (in the paint)

• Skin contact
• Particularly Epoxy; Amines and Isocyanates may cause skin irritation and Allergic reactions

Solvents - may enter the body in three ways:

• By inhalation
• By Skin contact
• By Ingestion (swallow / drinking)

Other constituents:

• Tar, Heavy metals

Skin contact – examples of damage to the skin

• Sensitisation
• Allergic
• Skin burning
• Photo
• Corrosion
• Sensitisation

A. Health hazards – Epoxies

Hazards

• Eczema and allergic reactions on the skin
• Liquid Epoxies with low molecular weighs (below 700) are most likely to give an allergic reaction
• An allergic reaction to Epoxy is irreversible
• Hyper-sensitive persons must stay away from epoxies

Protective measures

• Protective clothes covering the whole body and gloves
• Proper cleaning with water, soap and cleaning cream
• Use disposable overalls

Health hazards with epoxy resins

The degree of toxicity of epoxy resins depends on the molecular weight of the particular resins

• Low molecule weight epoxy resins are generally low viscosity and highly volatile
• Lower viscosity compounds are easily dispersed on the skin or in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, which may increase absorption
• On the other hand, higher viscosity compounds are difficult to remove from clothing and skin and residues may remain unnoticed. Complete removal may require organic solvent, which may increase the risk of solvent hazards

High volatility may lead to respiratory and skin exposure to vapours

B. Health hazards – Tar containing paints

Health authorities have designated tars such as coal tar to be Class 1 Carcinogens. Many paint manufacturers do not manufacture and sell coatings that contain bitumen, tars and coal tars, they stopped years ago.

Hazards

• The main hazard with tar containing paints is the risk for developing cancer, especially when exposed to strong sunlight
• Long term exposure to vapours may damage internal organs, cause inheritable genetic defects and birth defects
• Short term exposure to fumes and vapours may cause irritation to the nose, throat and eyes
• Splashes to skin causes irritation

Protective measures

• Protective mask to avoid breathing vapours
• Protective clothes covering the whole body and gloves

C. Health hazards – Isocyanates

Isocyanates are found in Polyurethane paints. The monomer is more volatile than the pre-polymer and is therefore more dangerous.

Hazards

• Irritation of eyes, skin and airways
• Sensitization by inhalation and skin contact
• Asthma

Protective measures

• Protective mask to avoid breathing of vapours
• Protective clothes covering the whole body, boots and gloves

D. Health hazards – antifoulings

Hazards

• Biocide used in Antifouling poses a risk to human health
• Cuprous oxide can cause acute effects, such as headache, Eczema, nausea, etc.; Long term exposure may cause irritation to eyes and skin

Protective measures

• Protective mask to avoid breathing of spray mist / droplets
• Protective clothes covering the whole body, boots and gloves

E. Health hazards – Solvent exposure

Acute effects

• Headache
• Abnormal tiredness
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Long term effects

• Irritability
• Loss of memory
• Organ damage (kidneys, liver, CNS)
• Reduced reaction ability
• Reduced evaluation ability

Skin irritations

• Eczema
• Dry and cracked skin

Inhalation of solvents

The most dangerous solvent hazard

• Solvents will be transported by the blood stream to internal organs of the body
• Amount absorbed and the effect on the body will depend on:
• Type of solvent, period of exposure, concentration and work load

May cause damage to:

• Central nervous system, respiratory system, liver, kidneys and reproductive systems

Protective measures

• Proper ventilation
• Use approved, protective mask

Protection against dust and gas

• Use an approved respirator assembly
• Mask with correct filter
• Unit consisting of support belt, air flow control valve, breathing tube, hood/helmet with filter unit

Different contaminants require different filters

• Dust: Filters P1 / P2 / P3
• Gas from organic solvents: Filters A1 / A2 / A3
• Combination-filters (P and A) are recommended

Filter types

Dust

• P1: Lowest degree of protection (not good enough against paint droplets/dust at site/yard)
• P2: Medium degree of protection
• P3: Highest degree of protection

Gas from organic solvents

• A1: Lowest degree of protection
• A2: Medium degree of protection
• A3: Highest degree of protection

Other types might be required for acid and alkaline

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) describes which filter to use when painting. Change filters regularly

Check filter package before opening: Check it is sealed

• Select correct type of filter for the job (SDS)
• Absorption of particles and solvents starts when the seal is broken. Store it in a closed bag when not in use
• Make sure it fits!

Use approved masks and filters only! (Be aware that beard may cause leaks!)

Forced Air Mask

• Usually used in confined spaces
• The air supply for these masks is supplied from outside the confined space and is filtered for moisture, oil, dust and toxic gases
• The air passes through a gas monitoring cabinet / filter before delivery to the operator

F. Health hazard – splashing paint and solvents into eyes

• Solvents can irritate or injure eyes
• Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Use approved safety glasses or a visor
• If paint or solvent in eyes: Flush eyes for at least 15 minutes with tempered clean water and seek medical assistance
• Make sure you know the location of all emergency eye wash and deluge shower stations

G. Health hazards – paints containing heavy metals

Sometimes heavy metals are used in pigments, additives or paint driers

Hazards (Metal fumes, dust from hot work)

• Zinc: Dust and fumes: Zinc fever, chills, coughing, irritation
• Copper: Fumes: Metal fever and chills
• Lead: Dust and fumes. Damage blood cells, Anaemia, skeletal damage, reduced fertility and damage to the central nervous system

• Chromium: Dust and fumes: Sensitisation, cancer
• Nickel / Cobalt: Sensitisation

Protective measures

• Protective mask to avoid breathing vapours
• Protective clothes covering the whole body, boots and gloves

Proper PPE covers the entire body

• Disposable suit
• Mask
• Gloves
• Boots

Disposable suits are particularly recommended when working with epoxies

General

Safety

Safety hazards when using paint are often related to solvents

Most solvents used in paint are:

• Flammable
• Volatile

How flammable is paint?

“Flash point” can tell us the flammability of paint. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a spark causes the vapours of a liquid to ignite (measured under specified test conditions)

• Category 1: Flash point below 23 ˚C and initial boiling point below 35 ˚C
• Category 2: Flash point below 23 ˚C and initial boiling point above 35 ˚C
• Category 3: Flash point above 23 ˚C and below 60 ˚C
• Category 4: Flash point above 60 ˚C and below 93 ˚C

This information can be found in the Safety Data Sheet

Working with solvents represents a safety risk

• Solvents are heavier than air
• The solvents may flow to lower compartments or areas
• Hot work may ignite the solvents
• A fire or an explosion may occur

Precautions when painting in confined spaces

• Ensure good ventilation
• Exhaust points for fumes / solvents must be close to the bottom
• Start application from the bottom and then upwards
• Always use non-sparking tools
• Use antistatic clothing with hood
• Use masks with remote air supply
• Use boots and gloves
• Safety lines
• Sufficient rest periods

Never smoke or use open flames !

Concentration where an explosion might occur

• Below the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL), the concentration of gas is too low for an explosion to take place
• Above the Upper Explosion Limit (UEL), the concentration of gas is too high for an explosion to take place
• The dangerous concentration level is between LEL and UEL, where an explosion can easily take place

Typical range for solvents:

• Between 1 vol.% (10,000 ppm) and 8 vol.% (80,000 ppm)

REMEMBER: Solvent vapours are heavier than air!

Limit Values –  Maximum Exposure Levels for a Workplace

TLV: The threshold limit value (TLV)

TLV of a chemical substance is a level to which it is believed a worker can be exposed day after day for a working lifetime without adverse effects. TLV is a reserved term of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). TLVs issued by the ACGIH are the most widely accepted occupational exposure limits both in the United States and most other countries.

OEL: Occupational exposure Limit (OEL)

OEL is an upper limit on the acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in workplace air for a particular material or class of materials. It is typically set by competent national authorities and enforced by legislation to protect occupational safety and health. It is an important tool in risk assessment and in the management of activities involving handling of dangerous substances. Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) have been established for airborne workplace chemicals by multiple regulatory and authoritative organizations around the world for well over 60 years now.

Administrative norm, particularly in Norway

This was an earlier system to establish Norwegian norms for impurities in the workplace atmosphere. In 2013 they were replaced by “Regulations on measures and limit values ​​for physical and chemical factors in the work environment and infection risk groups for biological agents”,  issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Labour.

How can we notice the presence of solvents?

The human body has a built-in detection system for solvents: the nose. We can smell the presence of common solvents at a far lower concentration than those that are harmful to our health.

We can smell the Solvents before the Administrative Norm is reached:

• Lower explosion limit (LEL): 000 ppm
• Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL): 50 - 100 ppm
• Odour Threshold: 0,5 - 20 ppm

Where to find/seek information

• Legislation and Regulations from authorities
• Yard’s or Site‘s internal safety system
• Product‘s Safety Data Sheets
• Product‘s Label on tin
• Experienced colleagues
• Suppliers of equipment or products

Information found in the SDS (16 standard items)

1. Identification
2. Hazard identification
3. Composition and ingredients
4. First aid measure
5. Firefighting Measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure control and personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information

• System of uniform classification and Labelling of Chemicals
• Developed within the United Nations (UN) structure
• In Europe, it is covered by the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation
• Its purpose is to ensure a high level of protection of health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon system, created by the United Nations beginning in 1992 and as of 2015 was not yet fully implemented in many countries. It was designed to replace the various classification and labelling standards used in different countries by using consistent criteria on a global level. It supersedes the relevant system of the European Union, which has implemented the United Nations‘ GHS into EU law as the CLP Regulation and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Physical hazards

Physical hazards group: based on the physical or chemical properties of the product – such as flammability, reactivity, or corrosivity to metals.

Substances or articles are assigned to 9 different hazard classes largely based on the United Nations Dangerous Goods System. Additions and changes have been necessary since the scope of the GHS includes all target audiences.

1. Explosives
2. Gases
3. Flammable liquids
4. Flammable solids
5. Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
6. Toxic and infectious substances
7. Radioactive substances
8. Substances corrosive to metal
9. Miscellaneous dangerous substances (which includes environmentally dangerous substances)

Health hazards

Health hazards group: based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect – such as eye irritation, respiratory sensitization (may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled), or carcinogenicity (may cause cancer).

• Acute toxicity
• Skin corrosion
• Skin irritation
• Serious eye damage
• Eye irritation
• Respiratory sensitizer
• hazard
• Skin sensitizer
• Germ cell mutagenicity
• Carcinogenicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Specific target organ toxicity (STOT)
• Aspiration

Environmental hazards

• Acute aquatic toxicity
• Chronic aquatic toxicity

Labelling

Information required on GHS label:

• Signal words: Danger or Warning
• Hazard statements (H-statements)
• Precaution statements (P-statements) and pictograms
• Product identifier
• Supplier identification

Hazard statements (H-statements)

Definition

• A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard

Precaution statements (P-statements)

Definition

• The statement is a phrase (and/or pictogram) which describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposures to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product

GHS label elements

The standardized label elements included in the GHS are:

• Symbols (GHS hazard pictograms): Convey health, physical and environmental hazard information, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category. Pictograms include the harmonized hazard symbols plus other graphic elements, such as borders, background patterns and substances which have organ toxicity. Also, harmful chemicals and irritants are marked with an exclamation mark, replacing the European saltire. Pictograms will have a black symbol on a white background with a red diamond frame. For transport, pictograms will have the background, symbol and colours currently used in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Where a transport pictogram appears, the GHS pictogram for the same hazard should not appear.
• Signal words: "Danger" or "Warning" will be used to emphasize hazards and indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category. Some lower level hazard categories do not use signal words. Only one signal word corresponding to the class of the most severe hazard should be used on a label.
• Hazard statements: Standard phrases assigned to a hazard class and category that describe the nature of the hazard. An appropriate statement for each GHS hazard should be included on the label for products possessing more than one hazard.

The additional label elements included in the GHS are:

• Precautionary statements: Measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects. There are four types of precautionary statements covering: prevention, response in cases of accidental spillage or exposure, storage, and disposal. The precautionary statements have been linked to each GHS hazard statement and type of hazard.
• Product identifier (ingredient disclosure): Name or number used for a hazardous product on a label or in the SDS. The GHS label for a substance should include the chemical identity of the substance. For mixtures, the label should include the chemical identities of all ingredients that contribute to acute toxicity, skin corrosion or serious eye damage, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, skin or respiratory sensitization, or Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (TOST), when these hazards appear on the label.
• Supplier identification: The name, address and telephone number should be provided on the label.
• Supplemental information: Non-harmonized information on the container of a hazardous product that is not required or specified under the GHS. Supplemental information may be used to provide further detail that does not contradict or cast doubt on the validity of the standardized hazard information.

Hazard Symbols

Symbol is a graphical element intended to succinctly convey information

 

Can be found in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and on the paint tin.

 

Pictogram

Pictogram is a graphical composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as border, background pattern or colour that is intended to convey specific information

                                                                                                          

Disposal consideration - hazardous waste

• Hazardous waste is waste that poses a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment
• There is legislation in various regions or countries to classify waste as hazardous waste
• Strict control of hazardous waste is required in many regions and countries
• Waste disposal shall not endanger human health or harm the environment

 

Hazardous waste in painting industry

• Surface preparation: any waste containing dangerous substance after treatment (such as, blasting material, grinding bodies and materials); aqueous washing liquids; steam degreasing wastes
• Paints and painting: waste and (aqueous) sludge containing organic solvents or other dangerous substances
• Hot dip galvanizing: acid, spent flux, phosphatizing sludge, rinsing liquid and degreasing wastes containing dangerous substances
• Other waste containing dangerous substances

 

Please refer to your local legislation for detailed information, i.e. Hazardous Waste List

 

Regulation, laws for transportation

The UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods are contained in the UN Model Regulations:

• Prepared by the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Covers the transport of dangerous goods by all modes of transport except by bulk tanker
• Not obligatory or legally binding on individual countries, but the recommendations have gained a wide degree of international acceptance
• Forms the basis of several international agreements and many national laws

 

Regulation, laws for transportation

Transportation of dangerous goods may take place by Sea, Road, Rail and more rarely, by air.

 

Responsible organizations are:

Mode	Organization	Treaties/Agreement
Air	International Air Transport Association (IATA)	IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
Sea	International Maritime Organization (IMO)	International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG)
Road	United Nations Economic Commission for Europe	European agreement on international road transportation of dangerous goods Rail (ADR)
Rail	Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF)	Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID)

 

Equipment - safety

• An Airless Spray Unit is a highly pressurized piece of equipment, and blast-cleaning equipment uses high pressure air. Operation by unskilled or careless operators may cause injuries
• All hose connections must be checked, fasteners and whip check cables in place and safety pins on blast hoses installed correctly before starting the equipment
• Equipment may accumulate static electricity during operation so the unit must be grounded properly
• Use only pressure approved and electrically conductive air and fluid hose
• Don’t use hose for any other purpose than it was designed for and avoid dragging hoses over sharp objects
• Read instruction manual prior to start using equipment

 

Airless spraying can be dangerous

Don’t ever point the gun towards yourself or any other person!