This website uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some of these cookies are used for visitor analysis, others are essential to making our site function properly and improve the user experience. By using this site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Click Accept to consent and dismiss this message or Deny to leave this website. Read our Privacy Statement for more.
PaintSafe is an initiative developed by the British Coatings Federation (BCF) to promote the safe sale, transport and use of paints and coatings for the benefit of both consumers and professionals, as well as the environment. The scheme has been
developed through the leadership of paint manufacturers in the UK as well as with different partners for the various topics set out below, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Painting and Decorating Association and the Scottish Decorators’ Federation.
This webpage has been divided into different sections with advice for consumers and for professional users below. Click on the tile for each topic and you will be directed to specific advice for the relevant subject. In many cases, PDF leaflet
versions of the advice are available for you to download and use. If you require large quantities of the leaflets, please contact the BCF helpdesk at info@bcf.co.uk who will be able to assist.
DECORATIVE PAINTS & CONSUMER USE
FAQS
You can read our FAQs across all topics such as sustainability, colour, product use and more below.
You can read our guidance what to consider when painting below.
General Advice for Consumers when Painting
DO
Check if there is a hazard in the surface to be painted (e.g. lead, asbestos). If so seek and follow relevant advice - see our advice on lead exposure on the PaintSafe page
Prepare substrates prior to painting in accordance with manufacturer recommendations
Read paint labels and follow appropriate instructions
Store all paints safely and out of reach of children and vulnerable adults
Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking, using a mobile phone or smoking and before going home
Wipe clean brushes and rollers before washing
Dispose of waste safely
Always get medical attention if you feel unwell - have product container to hand to help answer any questions
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 - see our advice on lead exposure on the PaintSafe page
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
LEAD EXPOSURE
Paints supplied for DIY use do not contain any added lead. In the UK, Lead-based pigments were removed from most decorative paints in the early 1960s, but there may be some lead in paints supplied up until the 1990s. You can read more
guidance on controlling lead exposure below.
Lead Exposure
Pre-1990s paintwork contains harmful lead or other toxic metals (e.g. cadmium).
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. These must be put into a heavy duty bag and then sealed.
Avoid creating dust. If the surface must be removed, use wet removal techniques – paint stripper or, if necessary, wet-sanding techniques
Infrared paint strippers may be used and are preferable to hot air guns. An appropriate mask for lead fumes (such as activated charcoal) must be used in case of overheating as lead vapour could otherwise be inhaled. when
scraping the paint after this must be done very carefully. The scrapings must be contained, prevent contamination of surfaces, clothing and skin. Ensure that PPE is used. All equipment must also be cleaned thoroughly
Do not use a blow torch or dry blast clean
Use sheeting to prevent spreading removed paint flakes and dust
Do not use a blow torch or dry blast clean
Clean up thoroughly when work is completed
You must vacuum, using a certified hazardous dust industrial vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter
All waste (including cloths, masks, sandpaper and filters) must go in a heavy duty plastic bag and which is then sealed
The waste must be disposed of as hazardous waste by an approved hazardous waste disposal service
Change out of work overalls before leaving work area and store safely in a plastic bag
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
You can find more detailed guidance on lead in painted surfaces in our BCF Guidance Document here.
You can also download a digital (PDF) leaflet of this information here.
CLEANING PAINTBRUSHES AND ROLLERS
Many DIYers are wasting paint, water and time by unnecessarily cleaning brushes and rollers before the end of a project. As well as tips on how to store paint brushes and rollers overnight, the video explains how to recover paint from painting tools before washing them.
This guide aims to lift the lid on the paint industry and demystify the ‘eco paint’ marketing claim that can be very misleading. We will explain what a typical paint is made of and explain some of the chemistry behind the label.
The BCF, the Green Blue (a joint environment programme between by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine) and the Yacht Harbour Association initiative 'Protect, Collect & Dispose' is focused on environmental best practice when antifouling boats. This initiative is intended for DIY antifouling as well as for marinas and boatyards who are offering professional antifouling services.
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.
Isocyanates
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Employers should provide health surveillance for paint sprayers. Biological monitoring may be required.
ONLINE SALE OF VEHICLE REFINISH AND INDUSTRIAL PAINTS
The guide provides a short summary of some of the potential issues to be aware of if you are selling paints online and/or delivering paints to your customers either on your own vehicles or using third party hauliers or carriers.
The BCF, the Green Blue (a joint environment programme between by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine) and the Yacht Harbour Association initiative 'Protect, Collect & Dispose' is focused on environmental best practice when antifouling boats. This initiative is intended for DIY antifouling as well as for marinas and boatyards who are offering professional antifouling services.
Print Page