Safety that's a myth

Smithfield 2The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a top 10 list of bodyshop myths that 'can take your breath away'.

Facts quoted in this top 10 myth list include the stark statement that vehicle paint sprayers are 80 times more likely to get asthma than the average worker and that one in 10 bodyshop workers who gets asthma from isocyanates are not sprayers.

The list at www.hse.gov.uk is worth checking out as there are detailed explanations as to why these commonly held beliefs are wrong and videos demonstrating some situations which can lead to asthma.

Myth 1: "We use water-based /UV-cured paints, which are isocyanate-free. Anyway, isocyanates are going to be banned." Almost all bodyshops use isocyanate-containing paints. Remember, 'water-based' does not mean 'isocyanate-free'. And almost all top coats contain isocyanates.

Myth 2: "Modern guns don't mist like the old ones so are much safer." All modern guns have to be at least 65 per cent efficient so it is true that they produce less mist. But that assumes that they are set up as the manufacturer intended – and that still doesn't make them safe!

Myth 3: "It won't affect me, I wear a mask." Wearing a respirator is essential when using isocyanate-containing paints but you need to ensure it is the right type – only air-fed breathing apparatus is suitable for isocyanate spraying (filtering face masks are not acceptable). It should be used at all times when exposure is possible – many sprayers believe it is safe to remove their mask as soon as they have finished spraying but the air still contains large quantities of paint mist that is invisible to the naked eye.

Myth 4: "I work in a booth so the air is kept clear." If you work in a modern, purpose-built spray booth with large quantities of filtered air flowing past, it is easy to believe that all the overspray is instantly carried away leaving the air safe to breath as soon as spraying is finished. This is a dangerous misconception. In fact, spray booths typically take between one to five minutes to clear. During this time, it is essential that you keep wearing your air-fed mask and no unprotected person enters the booth.

Myth 5: "I can go in the booth/spray room as soon as the mist has cleared." One in 10 of people who get asthma from isocyanates in bodyshops is not a sprayer. This means they are getting exposed some other way. One of those ways is entering a spraybooth/spray room before all of the fine, invisible mist has cleared. Even the most efficient booths take over a minute to clear after spraying has finished. Some take significantly longer. A spray room can take up to half and hour to clear.

Myth 6: "It's only a touch-up job, I can do that in the workshop." Non-sprayers developing asthma are exposed some other way. One of those ways is by people spraying outside the spray booth. Perhaps it is because the job is short or the booth is already in use. But the fact is that large quantities of paint mist are spread throughout the workshop endangering the health of anyone in the vicinity.

Myth 7: "Isocyanates cause cancer but so does everything else these days." There is no known case of isocyanate used in paints causing cancer! But they are the biggest cause of occupational asthma in the UK.

Myth 8: "Asthma isn't serious – most kids have it these days.” Asthma is a life-threatening and life-changing condition. If you get asthma from isocyanates, you can never work with or near isocyanate products again, which probably means losing your job. Your lungs are damaged permanently.

Myth 9: "The biggest problem is absorption through the skin but I wear gloves and an overall." The overwhelming route of entry for isocyanate paint mist in MVR bodyshops is through inhalation of fine airborne paint mist and this is what puts sprayers at risk of getting occupational asthma. Getting mixed two-pack isocyanate paint or liquid hardener drips/splashes on the hands/skin can cause dermatitis but that is a different issue.

Myth 10: "I've got nothing to worry about, I've had my yearly check-up and it's all clear". Asthma is a very variable condition. One day you may feel fine and the next you cannot breathe so, just because you showed up clear on the day of your breathing test doesn't mean you should ignore other symptoms.