Spray Painting Safety

Spray painting is a technique of painting, wherein a spraying device is used to spray a coat of paint onto a particular surface. It is a widely used method of painting, most often used to paint cars, buildings, etc. Spray painting is also used to make sign boards and wall graffiti.

Spray Painting Hazards
Spray painting may be one of the most effective ways of painting, but it has its own drawbacks as well, the most prominent being the hazards associated with the painting process. Various paints, sealers, hardeners and solvents contain toxic chemicals which can enter the human body and cause harmful effects. A worker indulged in spray painting may either inhale the chemical vapors or the toxic chemicals which may get absorbed by the skin on contact. Some coatings also contain inflammable substances which are aerosolized, when sprayed with the help of a powerful equipment. These substances can lead to casualties such as explosion or fire. With all these dangers it's important to keep yourself updated about spray painting safety tips, before you start working.

Spray Painting Safety
Before commencing the work, it's essential to read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of the chemical that is being used. One should make sure that he wears the necessary safety equipments such as gloves, respirator, safety glasses etc. to protect himself from the potential threat of the toxic chemicals. The spray booth, an area used for spray painting, which is blocked by barriers to prevent dust or dirt from entering it, should be properly maintained. The spray painting equipments used, such as filters and over spray, should be regularly cleaned.

Safety masks used for spray painting are broadly categorized into two types. The mask meant to stop dust from entering the lungs can be used when sanding the rusted areas, while the ones meant for fumes can be used while painting. If the area wherein you are painting is well ventilated, then you might not require the mask meant for fumes, but it's better to have one, after all it's not wise to take chances with your health. If possible, you should use a respirator, a protective mask with a filter, while spray painting.

One should take care that the inflammable substances are kept away from sources of fire. Smoking while painting, is strictly prohibited. Only tested and certified tools should be used for spray painting. The equipments, especially air powered tools, make lot of noise. In such circumstances it's wise to use protective gear for the ears. Other than noise, grinding and sanding equipments, used in spray painting, also produce fine dust particles which may enter your eyes or lungs. Wearing safety glasses can protect your eyes from these foreign particles.

As the toxic chemicals in paints can penetrate your skin, it is advisable to wear gloves when dealing with such paints, especially when using caustic products. Using gloves can ensure that your hands don't come in direct contact with the paint. More importantly, you don't have to use chemicals for paint removal. If at all you smear your hands with paint, instead of using clean up solvents, you can use water based cleansers to get rid of it. One should also take into consideration accidents, which can be caused, while maneuvering heavy tools required for spray painting. Use of balanced spray guns which can easily fit in the hand or using lifting devices to move objects can help a great deal in preventing these accidents.

Though the use of protective equipments may look unnecessary, these equipments can help you to stay away from the possible spray painting hazards. Spray painting safety can be ensured by taking these simple measures, thus making spray painting fun, instead of hazardous.