TM 43-0139
Section II. SAFETY SUMMARY
1-5. GENERAL
This section outlines safety, health and environmental requirements applicable to all painting operations. Safety and
health requirements are the same, regardless of paint system used, except where specifically identified. If there is ever
uncertainty as to what is required, contact local preventive medicine/industrial hygiene personnel.
a.
Vapors. Thinners used with paints and primers may have harmful effects. Continued breathing of vapors during
and after painting operations should be avoided. Toxic vapors may persist, in some cases, for many days indoors after
painting operations. Every effort must be made to ensure proper ventilation of the paint area to rid the area of toxic vapors
as quickly as possible. All personnel must be made aware that toxic vapors may be present. Avoid inhaling toxic vapors.
b.
Contact with Paint Materials. Avoid skin contact with paints, primers, removers and thinners, particularly if there
are cuts or open wounds on the hands. Unwashed hands may convey toxic material to food. Many paints and primers
contain lead, chromium, or other toxic materials which may enter the body when paint-contaminated food is eaten. Many
of the thinners are also toxic, and can enter the human body through the skin or by eating contaminated food. Personal
protective equipment (PPE) as recommended in para 1-7a should be worn to prevent skin contact.
c.
Fire. The mist that comes from a spray gun is highly flammable. A spark will cause it to flash. Smoking is
prohibited in paint shops. Open cans containing paint removers, thinners, paints, and primers are a fire hazard. Empty
drums or other containers in which paints, primers and thinners have been shipped are potential hazards since they often
contain enough vaporized material of a flammable nature to cause explosions. Accumulated overspray in booths and in
cracks and corners of the paint shop is particularly dangerous for it easily flares up. Oil or solvent-soaked cloths, if not
properly contained and promptly disposed of in accordance with AR420-47 may cause fire by spontaneous combustion.
Fires which occur in spray booths result from six principal causes: broken electric lamps and other electrical defects;
cleaning interior of booths, fans, and motors with flammable solvents; accumulations of deposits in the booths, tubes, and
vent pipes; defective fans and motors used for ventilating the booths; poorly designed vent tubes; or static electricity.
d.
Safe Air. If it is at all practical, painting of material should be accomplished in a properly designed and operated
paint booth. Adequate forced draft ventilation for indoor touchup work should be provided to carry off vapors. Respirators
should be worn during all spray-painting operations. Refer to para 1-7 for specific respiratory protection required.
e.
Safe Practices. Preparations containing benzene should not be used for spraying. Only electrical
equipment/wiring conforming to NFPA Article 70 will be used where spray-painting is being done. Paints should be stored
in a steel cabinet meeting OSHA requirements. Once opened, cans containing paint removers, thinners, paints, and paint
materials should be covered tightly before being stored or put away overnight. Do not apply heat or flame to drums, cans,
or other containers that have contained flammable materials. Obsenrve safe operating procedures at all times, particularly
when handling cleaning materials. For disposal of unserviceable paints or primers, refer to para 1-9.
1-6. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)
MSDS are prepared by the manufacturer and should accompany each single shipment or batch of paint, primer or thinner.
It is mandatory that personnel working with these substances read this information. Because of the variations involved,
MSDS must be reviewed for each shipment procured on a single purchase order. MSDS must be filed in a location readily
accessible to workers exposed to the substances. MSDS also assist management by directing attention to need for
specific control engineering, work practices and protective measures to ensure safe handling and use of the material.
Along with the product's ingredients and specific protection information, the MSDS contain the following data:
a.
Reactivity Data. This informs the paint user about the stability, hazardous decomposition, or polymerization
properties of the coating.
b.
Spill and Disposal Procedures. This informs the paint user the steps to be taken for proper spill or disposal
methods.
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