Spray painting is an essential daily task in many businesses, offering as it does a perfect finish to a variety of surfaces. Even essential tasks, though, has risks that must be assessed and mitigated. Protect your staff from the hazards spray painting presents with these tips.

Safe Painting Locations

Spray painting should always be carried out within a properly constructed spray booth (unless impractical). The design, construction and testing of spray booths should be in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4114.1. The selection, installation and maintenance of spray booths are also addressed in Australian Standard AS 4114.2. Remember, construction of a spray booth may require approval from the relevant authority.

Where flammable materials are sprayed, the spray booth and appropriate adjacent areas should be designated as hazardous areas.

Personal Protective Equipment

Most paints contain chemicals that can be harmful when exposed directly to your skin, eyes, or lungs, so it’s important that workers wear proper protective gear. Personal protection equipment (PPE) needs to include respiratory, skin, and eye protection. Procedures should ensure the required PPE is worn at all times and is maintained in good working order, particularly regarding to the regular replacement of respiratory filters.

Housekeeping requirements should also apply to spray booths and adjacent storage areas.

Training

Are your workers properly trained in safe spray painting operation? Training should cover the hazards associated with the activity and the precautions that need to be taken. This will include the use of ventilation and PPE, as well as proper maintenance of PPE.

Employee Health Assessments

Regular health assessments – such as lung function tests – should be carried out for all workers exposed to spray painting hazards on a regular basis. Material safety data sheets need to be made readily available, highlighting the dangers of the chemicals being sprayed.

General advice warning

The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own situation and requirements before making any decisions.