Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 65336–68350

by electrostatic process. Workers who may come into direct contact with TGIC powder coatings include persons:
    * filling hoppers
    * manually spraying powder paint including 'touch-up' spraying
    * reclaiming powder
    * emptying or cleaning industrial vacuum cleaners
    * cleaning powder coating booths, filters and other equipment, and
    * cleaning up major spills of powder coating.

Surface preparation chemicals
Hazardous surface cleaning or preparation chemicals are commonly used in the powder coating industry. Active ingredients include:
    * potassium or sodium hydroxide (may cause severe burns)
    * hydrofluoric acid or hydrogen difluoride salts (may cause severe burns with toxic systemic effects. Skin contact with concentrate may be fatal. Special first aid requirements apply
      e.g. calcium gluconate)
    * chromic acid, chromate or dichromate solutions (may cause cancer, burns and skin sensation), and
    * other acids, for example sulphuric acid (may cause severe burns).
You should check the label and SDS of all surface preparation chemicals and implement systems for safe handling, storage, spill cleanup, first aid and worker training. Eye wash and shower facilities and specific first aid items may also be needed.

4.2 Controlling exposure

Elimination
Choose TGIC-free powder coatings which are readily available.

Engineering controls
The most effective engineering controls for reducing worker exposure are booths, local exhaust ventilation and automation of the powder coating process. In particular:
    * application of powder coatings should be performed in a booth (see AS 3754: Safe application of powder coatings by electrostatic spraying) where practicable
    * local exhaust ventilation should be used when conducting powder coating activities, during filling of hoppers, when reclaiming powder and during clean-up
    * use automatic spray guns, feed lines and feed equipment
    * prevent unnecessary powder build-up inside powder coating booths by minimising spray gun air pressure to prevent overspray
    * interlock the power supply and powder coating feed lines with the air extraction system so that if a fault develops in the ventilation system, the powder coating and power supplies are cut off
    * prevent or minimise the generation of dusts by containing the opening of powder coating packages, loading of hoppers and reclaiming of powder, and
    * minimise the generation of dust when filling the hopper by considering the layout of the work station and the size of the hopper opening.
The following should be considered regarding the use of hoppers:
    * use spray systems where the container in which the TGIC is supplied can be used as the hopper, thereby avoiding the need to transfer powder
    * large hoppers can be used to avoid frequent refilling of smaller units, and
    * powder coatings that are supplied in drums allow for the powder to be transferred mechanically rather than manually.
Figure 10 Example of a local exhaust