Preparing for emergencies, having proper protective gear and training promote safe practices
Body and paint technicians work with products that are dangerous, use tools that could easily cause bodily harm, and are exposed to hazardous chemicals that could cause serious short-and long-term illness. Although they work in hazardous and dangerous settings every day, technicians can properly protect themselves and have a long and safe career.This article will take a look at shop and personal safety as these topics relate to material safety data sheets (MSDS), fire safety, spills, personal protective devices, written emergency plans and training.
Material safety data sheets
MSDS came about as part of a federal regulation, the "Right-to-Know Law," which guarantees workers have access to the right to information about how to safely handle workplace materials. By U.S. law, MSDS must accompany every hazardous material sent to a workplace. In Canada, a similar law exists, which is called Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS).
Shops must make this information available to their employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the governmental agency overseeing the administration of the right-to-know regulation, reports that the number one safety and health violation for collision shops has been not informing their employees about hazards in the workplace.What makes MSDS so important? Each MSDS contains information about 16 areas of interest (see sidebar). All 16 sections contain information that is critically important regarding the product, though some sections may be more important to individual workers than others.
For example, section 8, "exposure control and personal protection" is critical. In this section a worker will learn what personal protective devices must be used while working with this product. In section 4, one can learn what to do if a hazardous situation occurs. Section 6 tells what to do in case of an accidental release.
Emergency medical personnel and physicians consult section 11 to treat workers who are overexposed. MSDS contain vital information needed by a variety of people involved in working with hazardous materials.
MSDS should be readily available to all employees. First responders often will ask to take the MSDS with a patient when emergency medical services are called. Firefighters may need to see the MSDS to know how to fight a fire or contain an emergency.Fire safety
When employees are asked what's the first thing that should be done in case of a fire, their most common response is "put the fire out." In practical terms, that actually comes farther down the list. Actually, the first thing to do is to get out of the burning building, and on the way tell everyone you meet to get out.
After employees are safe, emergency services should be called. The faster professionals get there with equipment that can safely control, contain and extinguish the fire, the better. After the first three steps have been done, it's time to try to control the fire, with actions such as closing doors to cut down on the oxygen source. Remember that fire needs three things to burn: fuel, oxygen and ignition.
Lastly, if possible and practical, extinguish the fire. You'll need to use a fire extinguisher that's proper for the type of fire. But take caution. If you can't contain or extinguish the fire safely, let the professionals do it.Fire extinguishers are rated A, B, C and D for the type of fires they will put out, which is based on the source or fuel that is burning. Some extinguishers are rated for A, B and C fires, (see fire extinguisher sidebar for ratings) and up until a few years ago, an A, B and C fire extinguisher was all that a collision repair shop needed. It would put out most of the fires likely in a body shop, such as ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and electrical fires. Over the past few years, however, with more vehicles containing magnesium parts, a type D fire extinguisher has become necessary, especially in the structural repair area of the shop.
Fire extinguishers may seem simple to operate, but it's wise to be trained on their safe and effective operation. Contact your municipal fire department for fire safety advice and ask if they will offer instruction to employees.
Dealing with spills
Although spills should be avoided and protected against in the shop, they still happen, and a business should be prepared to deal with one when it occurs. Spills should be handled according to the MSDS recommendations found in section 6, the accident release measures.Generally employees should be evacuated from exposure as soon as possible. The fire department should be alerted; then, once the worker puts on the necessary personal safety equipment (section 8 of MSDS) the spill should be contained. Once the spill is contained and no longer spreading in size, it should be treated with absorbent materials.
After use, the absorbent material gathered up should be treated like toxic waste and disposed of properly. Clean up any residue that remains from the spill, and treat those cleaning products like they are toxic waste.
Some communities have regulations requiring that spills be reported to the fire department so that hazardous materials professionals can perform the cleanup or supervise as the shop cleans up the spill. Businesses should contact the local fire department for regulations and restrictions regarding spills in their area.
Professional spill kits are available that contain all the tools and equipment needed to contain spills. They are sold in different sizes in relation to the size of the spill, such as 5-, 10-and 55-gallon capacities. Individual components are sold alone as well. Shops may be required to have spill kits, depending upon local regulations.
Personal protective devices
Technicians use personal protective devices (PPDs) to protect themselves from the ill effects of the products and materials that they use. Although the triad of glasses, gloves and respirators are the most commonly used PPDs, suggested uses vary depending on where you work and what you work with. Which PPDs a technician should use and when to use them are best found in section 8 of the applicable MSDS information.Take gloves, for example. When welding, technicians use heavy leather gloves. When working with a frame machine or welded-on panels, mechanics gloves may be needed. Wear light nitrile gloves when mixing and painting, and medium-duty gloves made from nitrile, butyl or fluorinated rubber when working with Isocyanates. When working with high voltage electrical systems or hybrid electrical vehicles, technicians must wear insulated lineman's gloves.
Respirator use also varies. Under certain conditions a particle mask that only eliminates dust particles might be sufficient. At times, an air-purifying respirator is needed, and at other times an air-supply respirator is recommended. For any respirator to work properly and provide as much intended benefit to the user, it should be the proper size for the technician's face. The user should be taught to test the mask for a proper fit each time it is put on, and to properly clean and maintain the equipment.
Air purification respirators should be stored properly so they will maintain their efficiency. Shops should know their legal responsibilities regarding the proper testing, fitting and training required in their area.
Safety glasses are a simple PPD, but often are the most neglected or abused. Safety glasses should have a visible Z81.1 label indicating that they are true safety glasses. They also should have side shields to protect the entire eye. When working with hazardous liquids, technicians should wear goggles to protect from splashes. Techs also should wear safety glasses when in an air supply respirator hood.
Written emergency plans
Emergency plans for collision repair shops should be thought out and planned in hopes that they will never need to be used. But if an emergency occurs, workers should know and follow a general plan: The building is evacuated and all employees are directed to meet in a specific place so they can be accounted for. Specific persons should be designated specific tasks.
If a fire occurs, plans should specify who makes sure everyone is out (rescue), who is responsible for calling the fire department (alert), who is trained and prepared to contain the emergency (contain) and, if possible, who is best trained and suited to extinguish the fire (extinguish). Well thought-out and written-down emergency plans will prepare employees for emergencies, and preparation might save lives.
Train employees to respond
A reasonable argument can be made that planning what to do in an emergency and training employees to properly respond to emergencies is the best investment in time a business can make. Life, limb and property could be saved in the unfortunate event that an emergency does occur. If nothing ever happens, the time spent is not wasted. Well-trained staff members can work with confidence knowing they can deal with any situation.
Where should a shop get this type of training? Some may be available through the local fire department or emergency services. The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) is a good source of shop safety information. I-CAR offers courses, such as "Hazardous Materials, Personal Safety and Refinish Safety," to train employees about shop safety and properly dealing with emergencies.
Posting and reviewing MSDS will inform employees regarding the right-to-know material associated with products and materials used in the shop. Whatever sources are chosen, employees should be trained so they each can work safely, protect themselves from hazards and know how to respond to emergencies if needed. Regulations controlling safety and the safe use of materials vary from country to country, state to state and even from community to community. Make sure you know the safety regulations that apply to your shop.
