PaintSafe

PaintSafe is an initiative developed by the British Coatings Federation (BCF) at the request of the major paint manufacturers in the UK and in association with the Painting and Decorating Association and the Scottish Decorators’ Federation. The initiative aims to promote the safe use of paint and related products and provide best practice for decorators and other applicators during preparation, application and drying.

It is essential to refer to information on the container label and/or safety data sheet before using paint products.

PaintSafe - Decorative

Whilst the majority of paints available to professionals are non-hazardous, care should still be taken.

Key hazard concerns are:

Contact with skin, which could result in dermatitis
Contact with the eyes
Inhalation of dust or paint fumes
Ingestion of paint
Flammability of solvent-based paints

When you are painting:

DO

Read labels and/or safety data sheets (SDS)
Check if there is a hazard in the surface to be painted (e.g. lead, asbestos)
Prepare substrates prior to painting in accordance with manufacturer recommendations
Be aware of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and carry out a COSHH assessment
Store all paints safely and out of reach of children and vulnerable adults
Control access to areas being painted, apply wet paint signs
Wear recommended PPE and ensure it fits. Eye, skin and respiratory protection may be required – see label on SDS
Keep dust to a minimum
Reuse or recycle leftover paint
Wipe clean brushes and rollers before washing
Thoroughly clean up afterwards using a HEPA vacuum
Dispose of waste safely
Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoothing and before going home

DO NOT

Eat, drink or smoke when applying paint
Breathe in wood or paint dust
Use solvents or thinners to wash paint splashes off skin
Sand or burn off old paint that may contain lead
Dispose of paint or solvents down the drain
Leave paint-soaked rags lying around or in pockets as they can be a fire hazard. Instead, lay them out to dry or wash in soapy water
Leave lids off containers when not in use
Use a standard vacuum cleaner for removing hazardous dusts

Always get medical attention if you feel unwell - have product container to hand

Lead exposure

Pre-1960s paintwork over wood or metal surfaces may contain harmful lead.

If the surface is sound, avoid removing this. If you need to sand this down, use wet sanding techniques and wipe down afterwards. Dispose of rags and sandpaper immediately to avoid them drying out
Avoid creating dust. If the surface must be removed, use wet removal techniques – paint stripper or, if necessary, wet-sanding techniques
Hot-air guns may be used as long as the paint does not become overheated (i.e. if the flakes fall on the element) as lead vapour can be inhaled
Do not use a blow torch or dry blast clean
Use sheeting to prevent spreading removed paint
Do not use a blow torch or dry blast clean
Use sheeting to prevent spreading removed paint
Clean up well afterwards
Use a certified hazardous dust industrial vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter
Change out of work overalls to go home
If uncertain seek specialist advice before commencing work

Plan your work to avoid risks

Assess all risks – check if lead paint is present
Avoid excess exposure to solvent fumes – ensure adequate ventilation by opening doors and windows
Where ventilation is poor, or in the case of small spillages, you should wear CE-marked respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) with a vapour filter with assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 10
If applying paint by spray, RPE with a vapour and particulate filter may be required – see the safety data sheets for details
Avoid exposure to sanding dusts – wear a respirator with a particulate filter with and APF of at least 10 (e.g. FFP2 disposable mask or half mask with P2 filter)
When dry sanding with hand tools, use on – tool extraction and RPE with APF 20 (FFP3/P3)
All RPE should fit well – stop work if uncomfortable – disposable masks should be replaced regularly
Some paints contain substances which have potential to cause allergic reactions – read the label

PaintSafe - Industrial

Isocyanates are hazardous substances. Spraying paints containing isocyanates may be a major source of exposure. Spray mists contain air-born particles that can be inhaled which can lead to respiratory sensitisation and then to asthma - the major health risk associated with isocyanate exposure.

Once a person is sensitised they could develop symptoms on exposure to only trace levels. In addition, splashes in the eye may cause severe chemical conjunctivitis and exposure to skin may cause irritation or dermatitis.

Exposure to isocyanates is completely preventable, but will require certain actions. Coatings may have other hazards such as flammability or environmental hazards that should be taken into account.

It is essential to refer to information on the container label and/or safety data sheet before using paint products.

When using Isocyanates

Read the safety data sheet and label to determine the hazard

Carry out a risk assessment

Avoid the use of isocyanate-containing coatings if possible

Ensure adequate extraction and filtration by proper design and use of spray rooms, if applied in an installation

Check efficiency of any extraction system and know the clearance time for the booth/room

Follow correct working practices

Use air-fed breathing apparatus when spray applying

Keep all bystanders well away from any spraying operation

Wear appropriate PPE - RPE, gloves, eye protection, overalls

Ensure workers are informed of the hazards of working with isocyanates - that they can cause asthma and dermatitis

Ensure all personnel involved in handling isocyanate-containing coatings are trained and fully aware of the risks

BCF members supplying isocyanate-containing paints have a responsibility to ensure that their products are used safely. Whilst the incidence of asthma caused by exposure to such materials has been significantly reduced over recent years, there is still a risk to users if the correct precautions are not taken. As part of its PaintSafe campaign, the BCF has produced a poster with the HSE, for use in vehicle refinishing bodyshops, raising awareness of the dangers from isocyanates and the precautions needed. BCF has agreed with the HSE’s Motor Vehicle Repair Forum to print this poster and to supply copies to users of refinish paints and coatings. The poster can be found here.

The HSE’s Motor Vehicle Repair Forum has also produced several pictograms for use on spray booths. These give the information for using isocyanate paints in spray booths in a more visual format. They can be found here.

Products

The product label and supplier's safety data sheet should be consulted to see if the product contains isocyanates, 2-pack paints based on isocyanates may be called polyurethanes. Single-pack moisture-curing paints will often contain isocyanates.

Protection

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) will be needed in all cases. Air-fed breathing apparatus should always be worn when spray applying coatings containing isocyanates. Air-fed visors or half masks are suitable except in very enclosed spaces when a full-face mask should be used. Note that the air feed should be from outside the spray zone. The air should be clean; compressors should meet the quality standards in BS EN 12021. Particular attention should be paid to the face fit (seal) for the wearer of RPE.

Gloves, overalls and eye protection should be worn when handling and applying paints. Keep wearing RPE and PPE until the job, including gun cleaning, is finished.

Maintenance and housekeeping

All RPE and PPE equipment should be stored adequately and regularly checked. Exhaust ventilation systems should be regularly inspected and maintained. Paint spillages should be contained and collected with non-combustible absorbent materials. All sources of ignition should be excluded from any spill.

Exposure

Application by spray can be a major cause of inhalation exposure to isocyanates which enter people's bodies when they breathe in fine paint mist. Spray gun cleaning may also be a source of exposure. Application by brush or roller does not normally generate paint mist containing isocyanates and therefore the risk is negligible.

All spraying produces 'over-spray', most of which you cannot see under normal lighting. It is this invisible paint mist that can lead to exposure to other nearby.

Prevention

The best way of preventing exposure is not to use products containing isocyanates. If they must be used, engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and adequate extraction and filtration by proper design and use of spray rooms should be the first consideration in controlling exposure. However, this is not possible in spray application on large structures, on-site applications or when coating marine vessels. In such cases, air-fed breathing apparatus RPE should be worn. In all cases, keep others at least five metres (but preferably ten metres) away.

Training

Employers should be instructed about the risks to health arising from exposure to any hazardous substances and informed of the precautions to be taken. They should be trained in the use and care of PPE.

Health checks

Employers should provide health surveillance for paint sprayers. Biological monitoring may be required.

Coatings care

Paintcare

Paintsafe

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