Don’t jump straight into powder coating; instead, make sure you are aware of the risks involved.
Powder coating involves applying a protective, yet decorative, finish to a wide array of materials. To make this coating, finely ground particles of resin and pigment are combined, and then the selected surface is coated with the mixture.
The process sounds relatively straightforward; however, there are risks involved in powder coating different surfaces. This blog post will explore the hazards you need to be aware of before jumping into the process.
Dust
Dust might not seem like the most prominent risk; however, the combination of air and combustible organic powder can cause a dust explosion. When this explosion occurs, a fire could break out and encapsulate the workers in or around the area.
Harmful Inhaling
Some chemicals used in powder coating are toxic, especially TGIC, TMA and lead chromate based pigments, which can cause severe problems if inhaled. Make sure your workspace is controlling the risks involved by providing safety equipment and providing information about the type of pigments being used.
Unfamiliar
Hazards and injuries can be caused by something as simple as not being familiar with the equipment being used. Make sure your team are trained and qualified before allowing them to carry out powder coating. This method also applies to those that outsource this process, make sure you are hiring a reliable team.
Health Hazards
Exposure to hazardous substances, through powder coating, can cause serious health problems. Some potential health hazards include blood, liver and kidney diseases as well as skin irritation, aches, dizziness and nausea.
To prevent or reduce the health hazards involved in powder coating ensure that there are a washing and changing facility in your workplace, and make sure that each workplace that carries out powder coating can be easily cleaned.
When carrying out powder coating, you must also make sure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and worn correctly.
Staying Safe
You can avoid all the risks involved in powder coating by outsourcing this process to Blast ‘n’ Baked. Our team at Blast ‘n’ Baked are made up of highly qualified and experienced individuals who are trained to a high industry standard. All you need to do is contact us today, and we can discuss your specific project.
Whether you are carrying powder coating in-house or outsourcing, make sure you are staying safe by implementing the method suggested in this blog post.