Page 61 - Australasian Paint & Panel Jan-Feb 2020

maintaining excellent cut performance, as can be seen with the latest addition, Cubitron II 400+. The performance of the dust extraction holes on the discs and sheets means the painter will obtain ex- cellent performance from the Cubitron II mineral allowing superior speed and fin- ish when blocking and refining on the primer or clears in blend areas.
WHAT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS FOR THE TECHNICIANS OF WORKING IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT CLEAN AND DUST IS NOT BEING CAPTURED?
Sanding operations with discs and met- al working tools can produce microscop- ic dusts of silica, iron oxide (rust), along with metallics (potentially lead and chromium) that comes from sanding coated-painted surfaces. These fine dust particles become airborne and, without proper ventilation, linger to be inhaled
by shop personnel.
One mistake many
collision repair facilities make is not cleaning the car prior to
it entering the shop.”
The human lung has developed sev- eral defense mechanisms to give us some protection from naturally occur- ring airborne contaminants. Things like nasal hairs, mucous linings and the many twists and turns to get through the airways are mechanisms used to trap contaminants before they get to the delicate oxygen exchange areas, called the alveoli, deep in the lungs. We are all familiar with the coughing response that occurs when we get exposed to a high concentration of smoke or other respiratory irritants. This is the body re- acting to an overexposure to expel the contaminant as quickly as possible from the lungs. Smokers’ cough is the body’s response to an excess of mucous con- taining foreign particles (smoke, ash, dust) from the lungs. The small hairs (cilia) that do this job in a healthy lung are killed off over time by overexposure to tobacco smoke and the cough reflex is used to force the mucous lining the air-
ways up and out of the lungs.
All humans need a supply of air to sur-
vive, and the human lung is the means we use to extract life-giving oxygen from the air and exhale waste carbon dioxide. Efficient respiration requires two healthy lungs to absorb the oxygen we need. The airways divide more than 20 times into smaller and smaller branches so that we end up with around 300 million oxygen absorbing sacs called alveoli per lung and a total oxygen-absorbing surface as large as a tennis court.
So, although we have a level of protec- tion against naturally occurring levels of materials like dusts and pollens, they’re not as effective against many of the concentrated materials commonly in use in the repair facility, such as those described above. Dust generated from the sanding process is classified as a “nuisance” and is defined as small par- ticles that clog up the airways of the lungs and create discomfort and breath- ing difficulty. Inhaling such particles for even short terms can potentially cause asthma, emphysema and other lung-re- lated diseases and irritation.
We have discussed the importance of using dust extraction in maintaining performance and shop cleanliness, this does not remove the need for respiratory protection while running a sanding op- eration. Selection of the correct respira- tor will be dependent on the operator’s facial features. An international stand- ard fit test can provide a definitive an- swer to the suitability of the respirator for the technician.
Once the repair facility has an inte- grated and optimised system, there will be many benefits provided by making the switch to a cleaner shop. The health of the technicians will be greatly in- creased. They will no longer be breath- ing in dust all day which in return will increase their production efficiency, re- duce sick time, and increase technician retention. A cleaner shop can also im- pact the business success in many other ways. Customers notice a shop area that is clean and well organised, this may leave a positive overall impression that can lead to new and repeat business. A clean shop will also increase production efficiency by reducing defects in paint work, less polishing, less cleanup, and more vehicles out the door.
NORTON MESHPOWER
NORTON MESHPOWER IS A MULTI-FUNC-
tional abrasive, designed with thousands of holes, to provide best dust extraction in any application, creating a virtually dust free sanding environment. Better for your health, better for your application and bet- ter for your business. Besides it delivering a cleaner and healthier work environment, MeshPower has Norton’s most powerful ceramic abrasive.
Norton’s ceramic grain features the ability to deliver a consistent scratch pattern with excellent life. While sand- ing, the grain is constantly fracturing, revealing sharp edges to maximise sur- face removal.
Use on primer, filler, paint, lacquer, fiberglass, aluminium, gelcoat and plastic in panel repair, spot repair and bumper re- pair. Can also be used on new panels. Use by hand or with a machine. The grit range covers any preparation application from 80 grit up to 400 grit.
Norton also applied its No-Fil technolo- gy to MeshPower. The system resists clog- ging of the grain improving product life and cut consistency.
Norton MeshPower’s Speed Grip back- ing is compatible with existing back-up pads for quick and easy disc changes. No new back-up pads are required.
Norton MeshPower is available for free trial so you can make up your own mind.
For further information contact Saint- Gobain on: 1300 007 650, sales.au@saint- gobain.com; www.saint-gobain.com.au
WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
61