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 a. Fire Prevention Precautions. During spray painting, precautions, in addition to those for brushing or
mixing, are necessary to prevent static sparking and excessive flammable solvent concentrations. Danger
areas shall extend at least 50 feet from the painting operation, and may include an entire dry-dock in
cases of extensive painting with highly flammable paints. Rope off and post "DANGER AREA" signs near
the painting operation to alert personnel to the hazard. These signs must designate the danger area and
prohibit smoking, hot work, and open flame. All electrical leads within the danger area shall be sealed and
all equipment requiring grounding shall be grounded. During spray-painting operations, fire-extinguishing
equipment shall be in the ready condition.
b. Protective Clothing and Gear. Spray painters shall wear gloves and protective garments that fit
snugly at ankles, neck, and wrists. They shall wear filter respirators approved for the operation being
performed, i.e., spraying, mixing, or handling materials, which create flammable vapors. Spray gun mists
must never be inhaled.
c. Showers. If paint-spraying operations are extensive, showers should be available and operators
should shower after every shift.
d. Vinyl and Epoxy Paints. Personnel spray-painting with epoxy paints in other than approved spray
booths must wear coveralls, gloves, and NIOSH-approved airline respirators, which provide full-face
coverage. The air supplied to the respirator must be approved for use as breathing air. Approved goggles
shall be worn except when eye protection is provided by air-supplied respirators or hoods. Exposed skin
areas may be covered with protective cream. The same precautions apply to the application of vinyl
paints, except that NIOSH-approved organic vapor respirators may be substituted for airline respirators
when work is done in open exterior spaces. When these coatings are applied overhead or on surfaces
above waist level; approved hoods, which completely protect the head, face, and neck, shall be worn.
2-16. Airless Spray Safety Precautions. Personnel shall receive complete instructions in the proper use
of airless spray equipment before being permitted to operate the equipment or to assist the operators.
Training shall stress the potential dangers associated with handling of airless spray equipment, as well as
the built-in safety features designed to minimize these dangers. The airless spray method uses a pump to
deliver high-pressure fluid to the small, spray-tip orifice. This high-pressure (300 lb/in 2) system is
potentially hazardous. Amputations and deaths have resulted from careless use of this equipment,
particularly when spray tips are removed for cleaning. Before a spray tip is removed or adjusted and
when spray operations are shut down for an extended period, it is mandatory that electrical pumps be
shut OFF, and that the gun trigger is depressed to bleed line pressure.
Specific precautions related to hazardous paint ingredients are described in the following paragraphs.
Assistance shall be obtained from the Industrial Hygienist or Safety Officer.
a. N-Butyl Alcohol. Exposure to vapors produces irritation of nose, throat, and eyes. The Threshold
Limit Value (TLV) is currently set at a ceiling level of 50 ppm (parts per million) by the Committee of the
American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (AGGIH). Butyl alcohol also causes contact
dermatitis. Skin absorption through direct contact with the liquid can add significantly to overall exposure
and must be prevented.
b. Dichloromethane. This is volatile solvent, mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. Inhalation of its vapors
can produce drunkenness and narcosis. The TLV (ACGIH) for dichloromethane is currently 100 ppm with
a Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 500 ppm.
c. Epoxy Resin (Uncured). This is primarily a skin irritant and possible skin sensitizer. Exposure to
epoxy resins in the uncured form shall be minimized. Repeated or prolonged skin contact will dry and
defat the skin.
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