Page 45 - Australaasian Paint & Panel Jan-Feb 2022

Lead by example, look out, join in, speak up.
Safety
– it’s in your hands.
WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
BUST THAT DUST
WORKING WITH MIXED MATERIALS COMES WITH EVEN FURTHER RISKS FROM DUST PARTICLES. GARY WILCOX FROM SAFETY COMPLIANCE APP, MONIT, WALKS US THROUGH THE DANGERS.
D UST IS A COMMON HAZARD IN A panel shop however, with ad- vances in vehicle manufacturing sanding filler and paint it may not be your only risk. Vehicle components such as aluminium and carbon fibre are becom-
ing popular and require special attention. It’s important for management to provide workers with information and training con- cerning the hazards and controls around sanding aluminium and carbon fibre. Al- though aluminium and carbon fibre are completely different materials the safety re- quirements when sanding them are about the same. But firstly, let’s discuss the differ-
ences.
Aluminium dust can cause ‘metal fume
fever’ which is a flu like illness with symp- toms of metallic taste in the mouth, head- ache, fever and chills, aches, chest tight- ness and cough. The symptoms may be delayed for several hours after exposure and usually last for a day or two. Exposure to fine aluminium dust can also cause scar- ring on the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath.
Symptoms of aluminium dust exposure usually lasts for a day or two, however there are long-term health effects which can last for months or years. Although alu- minium dust has not been identified as a carcinogen, aluminium production has been determined to be a human carcino- gen. Aluminium powder and is also a flam- mable solid and a dangerous fire hazard.
Carbon fibre sanding loosens small glass micro fibres which if uncontrolled has the potential to stick into human skin or the mucous membranes causing irritation.
New generation carbon fibres are made from nanotubes which are a remarkably sim- ilar in shape and size to asbestos fibres. This new technology is already causing some con- cern amongst researchers and doctors.
These fibres have a coating of epoxy or resin which can also cause chemical irrita- tion or damage to your health.
Typical health effects from exposure in- clude irritation of the eyes and upper respir- atory tract, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Visual disturbances may also occur. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with these liquids may cause dermatitis. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be consulted before the use of the particular solvents and or resins associated with the carbon fibre product and all precautions outlined in the SDS should be implemented. From here on the safety requirements are roughly the same when sanding either material.
HERE’S HOW TO STAY SAFE
• Wear an appropriate respirator. A dust mask is not a respirator.
• Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
• Wear disposable coveralls which can be removed and discarded - keep the dust off your clothing, car and home. Young children are more severely affected when
exposed to these hazardous materials.
• Remove your coveralls and gloves in the shop when you finish sanding - before using the restroom and before going for
coffee breaks or lunch.
• Before eating remove dusty clothing,
wash your hands, arms and face thor-
oughly with soap and water.
• Use a rotary/orbital and straight line/re-
ciprocating sanders, equipped with High Velocity, Low Volume (HVLV) local ex- haust ventilation as part of the tool’s de- sign. These are recommended because they have been shown to be effective in reducing total dust concentrations.
• Use a vacuum cleaner instead of com- pressed air to blow dust off yourself.
• Avoid exposure during pregnancy.
• Where possible, enclose or isolate sand-
ing operations.
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