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HAZARD CONTROLS

Control of Paint Overspray in Autobody Repair Shops

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Hazardous components of paint spray include metals such as lead and chromium, polyiso-
cyanates, and liquid organic solvents. Autobody workers may develop nervous disorders, skin
and eye irritation, respiratory sensitization, asthma and reduced lung function from exposure to
paint.

Effective control of worker exposure to paint overspray requires the proper selection of spray
painting equipment, a properly designed and ventilated spray painting booth, and personal pro-

tective equipment. Formal training and maintenance programs will help ensure that all equipment
operates properly. Three types of control are recommended:

@ SPRAY PAINTING GUNS

HIGH VOLUME, LOW PRESSURE (HVLP) spray painting guns are recommended instead
of conventional gravity or siphon-feed spray painting guns because HVLP guns cut paint
overspray concentrations in half. HVLP guns transfer paint more efficiently and can reduce
paint usage.

@ PAINT BOOTH VENTILATION

DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION spray painting booths are recommended instead of Crossdraft
or Semi-Downdraft Ventilation spray painting booths. Properly operated DOWNDRAFT
booths produce lower concentrations of paint overspray compared to the other two types of
booths. DOWNDRAFT booths produce a cleaner paint job that requires less buffing. (See
ILLUSTRATION)

m@ RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Properly used and maintained HVLP spray painting guns and downdraft booths will greatly
reduce paint overspray concentrations, but they will not completely eliminate overspray from
the air workers breathe. Therefore, PERSONAL RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIP-
MENT is also recommended and a RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM that contains
all elements required by the OSHA standard (such as worker evaluation, selection of appro-
priate air-purifying or supplied-air respirators, fit-testing, training, and maintenance) will be
needed to fully protect workers from this hazard.

one,
oe % U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
5 Public Health Service
% Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CENTERS FOR ASEASE CONTRO:

January 1996


ILLUSTRATION OF A DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION PAINT BOOTH

Filtered air enters at ceiling of booth, flows
around car at 80 fpm, and exits through the floor.

are.

DOWNDRAFT

For More Information

For a free copy of the report Control of Paint Overspray in Autobody Repair Shops, or for infor-
mation on other occupational safety and health issues, call the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health* NIOSH), at:

[_ 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)

“NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommenda-
tions for preventing work-related illness and injuries. HAZARD CONTROLS are based on
research studies that show reduced worker exposure to hazardous agents or activities.

Acknowledgements

The principal contributors to this HAZARD CONTROLS are William A. Heitbrink, Division of
Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Jerome P. Flesch, Education and Information Division,

NIOSH.

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. NIOSH encour-
ages all HAZARD CONTROLS be made available to all interested employers and workers.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-106