Industrial Hygiene in Construction

To summarize,  there is no real quick-fix to this type of industrial hygiene assessment. Depending on what type of spray finishing you are performing- will depend on how to proceed. Here are some things to look during your assessments of these areas:

• air flow across the face of the spray area should be at least 100 feet per minute
• review the MSDS for the products you spray, and the solvents, thinners, and A+B parts-everything.
• check the filters – are there scheduled changes? a manometer in place and used?
• no flammables should be inside the booth area
• watch the flow of work- usually there can be improvements- as well as lessons to learn
• is the employees’ skin protected during spraying? (obviously not in the picture-right)
• where does the waste (left over) spray product go?
• ask employees about concerns and health issues

Typically respirators are worn in the spray finish areas. This list is not complete, but for starter, check:

• what type of respirators are being worn? Are they protective enough?
• what type of cartridges are used? Are they changed regularly?
• are there scheduled change out times for their cartridges? where is that posted?
• where are their respirators stored?

A suggestion brought to one of my postings was, “how do you control the exposures?”. The answer, …in my best legalese was, “it depends”.

There are many ways to control the exposures.  However, as an general rule there is a method of approach that is best. OSHA describes it in some of their rule-language (such as lead 1926.62, and others).  So the first step in controlling an exposure is:

1. Engineering controls

What this means is: Can we remove the hazard from the employee. The best method is elimination. Using a different product that is less harmful can sometimes be discussed. Next, can we control the substance so that it is not harmful- like using a local exhaust ventilation? Can we use water to control airborne releases? Engineering controls should always be considered first. I suggest that when you have an exposure situation, have your safety committee brain-storm these types of controls and document them. OSHA has issued citations for employers who choose NOT to consider this control.

2. Administrative controls

These types of controls are a bit harder to describe. Suppose your worker must go into a high noise area multiple times during their shift – the answer might be limiting their time in this area. And possibly allowing other employees to “share” this exposure during their shift.  Another example would be having a protocol that minimizes airborne exposure by a method of work that is enforced by management.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

This should be used as a last-resort. Most times it’s not. The reason it is NOT used is usually because of convenience.  However, there are many ways this control can fail including, improper use, breakthrough, permeation, penetration, degradation, and failure.