Spray booth draft standard released

News

The draft of the new AS/NZS 4114 Spray Painting Booths standard was released for public comment late last year, with several additions to the 1995 standard.
Key changes include requirements for paint mixing rooms and new clauses covering designated spray painting areas and infra-red heating. The title of the standard was reviewed and is to be called 'Spray painting booths, designated spray painting areas and paint mixing rooms'.
Under the draft standard, a permit is to be issued for the designated spray painting area prior to use, issued by the person who has responsibility for the safety of the preparation and spray painting operation. Where reasonable, barriers or other methods shall be provided to prevent the migration of particles from the designated spray painting area to other areas. Barriers should be non-combustible and anti-static.
Designated spray painting areas are defined as three-dimensional areas surrounding an object to be painted. This area is usually associated with large objects that cannot be placed in a booth.

Workcover Victoria to target bodyshop safety
Workcover Victoria has signalled its intent to crack down on bodyshops that do not meet basic fire safety and air quality requirements, especially in relation to paint mixing and spraying areas. Workcover will be targeting Victorian bodyshops in the coming months on two specific areas of concern: airline respiratory protection and fire and explosion protection in areas of ignition.
"Our inspectors have come to us and highlighted these particular areas as being of concern," said Halil Ahmet, senior occupational hygienist for Workcover Victoria. "Inspectors have seen a high level of deficiency in both these areas and these are our focus for the crash repair industry."
As a result of its concerns, Workcover met with the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF) recently to discuss the issue and try and find a way to solve the problem without having to penalise shops. The APMF drew up a set of guidelines on a handy A4 laminated sheet (see insert in this magazine) to aid bodyshop operators.
APMF executive director Michael Hambrook said many bodyshops could be fined if they do not upgrade their safety procedures. "The situation can be relatively easily rectified without spending thousands of dollars, it's not that hard," he said. "If basic safety procedures are followed in hazard areas, shops can avoid being penalised."
Workcover Victoria has already targeted Geelong and plans to tackle the rest of Victoria soon. "The use of most paints are under strict hazardous materials regulations and if our inspectors find that a facility is not complying with the law, they can issue notices to stop immediately or over a timeframe. If the shop continues without making the necessary changes, Workcover can prosecute those businesses," Ahmet warned.