This presentation covers solvents - the products that contain solvents, how

you may be exposed to them in a collision shop, and what can you do to

protect yourself.

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• Solvents are used to dissolve or disperse other chemicals.

• Solvents evaporate quickly. This means that liquids readily become

vapors that you may inhale.

• Many solvents are also flammable and can be a fire hazard in the shop.

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Many products used in collision shops contain solvents. Some of the

products and the operations that involve solvents include:

• Paint systems release solvents during mixing and spraying.

• Lacquer thinner vapors are generated during for spray gun cleaning.

The following products also contain solvents:

• Body fillers and hardeners - used in body repair work

• Degreasers - used for removing adhesives and in paint prep work

• Polishing and buffing compounds - used in detailing

• Gasoline

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You should always know the hazards of the products you are working with.

The container label is a good place to start. It will give you a summary of the

hazards.

The label should include:

• The manufacturer’s name

• The product name

• A hazard warning which includes:

• a signal word - Warning! or Danger!

• and the main safety and health hazards.

On this label for Spies Hecker Priomat Plastic Reducer, the signal word is

“Warning!”. The main safety and health hazard is “Flammable liquid and

vapor. Harmful if inhaled”.

Remember, the label is not a substitute for the safety data sheet!

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The Safety Data Sheets or SDS provide in-depth information about the

products you work with.

Key sections on an SDS include:

• Ingredients

• Physical and chemical characteristics

• Fire and explosion data

• Health Hazard data

• Precautions for safe handling and use

• Control measures

Know where the SDS are located in your shop.

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Inhalation of solvent vapors is the main route of exposure.

Many liquid solvents can enter the body through contact with skin. However,

you cannot always tell when this occurs.

Never clean your hands using products containing solvents! You are

exposing yourself to harmful chemicals.

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Health effects of short-term exposure to solvent vapors include:

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Eye irritation

Some describe these symptoms as “feeling slightly drunk”.

Repeated contact with liquid solvents can make your skin dry and cracked.

If solvent splashes into your eyes, you will experience eye irritation.

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If you experience health symptoms when working with solvents, stop what

you are doing and go to an area with clean, fresh air.

When the symptoms clear:

• Evaluate your work area – are there any open containers nearby?

Are there any spills?

• Check that the ventilation is working properly.

• Evaluate your work practices – could you use a solvent-soaked

rag instead of spraying?

• Check your personal protective equipment.

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Long-term exposure to solvents may cause health effects such as:

• Damage to the nervous system

• Liver problems

• Skin rash

Consult the SDS for a list of health effects specific to the products you

work with.

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The severity of the health effects you might experience after exposure to

solvents depends on:

• The type and amount of solvent you are exposed to. Some solvents are

more harmful than others.

• Duration of exposure - each day and over time.

• Where and how you do your work. For example, is the area well-ventilated

area? Do you use personal protective equipment?

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To minimize your exposure to solvents:

• Use in well-ventilated areas. For example: spray all solvent-based coats in

a paint booth.

• Avoid spraying if possible. For example: use a pre-soaked cloth when

degreasing surfaces instead of spraying the degreaser.

• Label all containers with the name of the product and the main hazard. For

example: if you transfer paint thinner into a smaller bottle, write the name

of the product and the warning word appearing on the main container or

SDS (such as “flammable” or “harmful if inhaled”) onto the new container.

• Find a safer substitute. For example: low VOC or water-based products.

• Store all chemical products properly to prevent spills. Keep all containers

closed when not in use. Store all chemicals away from high traffic areas.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Consider the following when selecting chemical-resistant gloves:

• The specific chemical

• The type of contact

- Immersion

- Splashes

- Accidental contact

For most operations in collision shops, nitrile gloves, 8 mils in thickness are

sufficient. However, they don’t work for ALL the chemicals you may handle.

Do not use medical-grade latex gloves. They will not protect you and

they can cause skin problems.

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Use eye protection that seals completely around your eyes to prevent contact

from splashes or spray mist.

Protect your goggles from scratches. Store them away from heat and

sunlight.

Rinse them immediately if they were splashed with chemicals.

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Spraying products other than paint, primer, and clear coats generate very low

solvent concentrations which are not harmful. Therefore, respirator use is

optional.

However, if you chose to use a respirator, be sure and follow all the

requirements pertaining to use, storage and maintenance. This information is

described in detail in Part 1 of the Respirator presentation.

Only use respirators with charcoal cartridges with a black label stating “for

organic vapors”.

Do NOT use a dust mask for protection from solvents! Vapors will pass

through the filter and are inhaled.

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Many solvents used in collision shops are also a fire hazard. Prevent fires by

following these precautions:

• Eliminate ignition sources from areas where solvents are used. Never

smoke in the shop.

• Store solvents properly. Limit the amount of flammable materials stored

outside of the mixing room or flammable storage cabinets. Keep

containers covered when not in use.

• Ground and bond the drum and the receiving container when pouring or

pumping paint thinner. This prevents the buildup of static electricity and the

generation of sparks. Be sure that the grounding and bonding wires are

attached directly onto bare metal, and not over paint.

• Be sure that the lights in the paint booth are in good condition.

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The flash point is the lowest temperature at which enough liquid can

evaporate to form a combustible concentration of gas.

The lower the flash point the easier the product will burn or ignite.

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The flashpoint for some fluids, such as diesel fuel, is given as a range of

temperatures. This is because the testing method or the composition of

products in the same class.

The SDS for a specific product will usually list a single number.

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The SDS for Spies Hecker Plastic Reducer shows that the product has a

flash point of 75o F. Therefore, this product is a fire hazard.

Open flames and sparks must be avoided whenever you handle solvents,

especially products with low flash points, to prevent fires and explosions.

Fire safety is coverd in more detail in the presentations on Fire Safety - Parts

1 and 2.

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In summary:

� Most solvents readily evaporate and many are flammable.

Never smoke in the shop!

� Solvents may irritate your skin and eyes, and can affect your nervous

system and liver.

Never use solvents to clean your skin!

� Use properly selected chemical-resistant gloves and goggles.

� Reduce the risk of fire by handling and storing solvents properly.

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