Room for improvement

Health & Safety

The major conclusion of a study into the panel beating industry by the Queensland Department of Training & Industrial Relations, Workplace Health & Safety Unit, carried out in 1996, is still relevant today.

The study raised particular concern over the lack of understanding and knowledge displayed by bodyshop operators in the areas of personal protective equipment and stated that a number of health and safety issues needed addressing. John Henderson looks at the conclusions of the study and finds the repair industry still has a long way to go to fully implement the changes suggested.

The 1996 study said: Many paint suppliers were recommending the use of single strap disposable dust masks which do not meet the minimum standard required for respiratory protection.

This type of mask does not offer adequate protection against dust and is not intended for use in this industry. Further, it provides no protection against solvents or isocyanates.

The study also concluded: All 2-pack paint system hardener cans that inspectors came across during the audit program carried health information stating that full-face air supplied respirators needed to be worn when using this product. The majority of workplaces however, were using half-face cartridge respirators, stating that it was an industry standard and were advised by their suppliers. Forty-four of the 51 workplaces [in the study] when asked how they selected their cartridges, stated that the advice was obtained from their paint supplier.

The concern with isocyanates is that they can cause respiratory sensitisation (asthma-like symptoms) that is not reversable. Once sensitised, exposure to very low levels of isocyanates can cause severe and acute respiratory reactions. Hence the requirement for airline systems. Half-face cartridge respirators are not suitable for use when spraying isocyanate-based paints and in New South Wales their use is contrary to current legislation and the written advice of manufacturers and other authoritative sources.

The industry appeared to use personal protective equipment as the prime means of protecting workers from overexposure to chemicals. Spray booths were considered a method of protecting the paint job from dust rather than protecting the spray painter from excessive levels of isocyanate and other solvents during spraying. Spray booths were not adequately ventilated to allow safe entry after spraying or to isolate airborne solvents from the rest of the shop.
Half-face cartridge respirators when used were often inappropriate, not worn correctly, poorly maintained and not stored properly. Advice and training on the correct selection, the correct use of and maintenance of respirators must be obtained from competent sources.

During the dry sanding of body filler/putties, excessive levels of dust can often be encountered and because the dust contains a respirable fraction (can penetrate to the depth of the lungs) and possibly quartz, requires the correct use of an approved P1 dust respirator. In relation to the sanding of cured 2-pack isocyanate-based paints, there is no sensitisation hazard as such from the dust. However there are still respiratory concerns in relation to generated dust levels which are not assisted by the use of compressed air to blow the job down -- if the dust is airborne it can be breathed in!

In most workshops noise levels are at times excessive and hearing protection is required. If an employee needs to raise their voice to be heard at a distance of one metre then it is almost certain the allowed noise exposure of 85 dBA will be exceeded, and permanent, irreversible hearing damage will occur unless correctly fitted hearing protection is worn.
The study documented in detail what practicing occupational health and safety professionals knew was happening. The repair industry consists of many small operators whose access to correct occupational health advice is often limited to contact with their suppliers.

It is therefore imperative that both the individuals and the industry as a whole seek advice from their suppliers who may in turn seek the provision of that advice and training from the manufacturer of the particular personal protective equipment.

John Henderson is senior occupational hygienist, Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division, 3M Australia.