Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412:body:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28601–32625

as triglycidyl isocyanurate, hydrofluoric acid and chromic acid are known to present significant health risks and should be assessed as high risk.
Medium risk chemicals  Medium risk hazardous chemicals include any substances that contain organic solvents that are not already assessed as high risk, or flammable liquids or combustible dusts.

Low risk chemicals     Hazardous chemicals that are low risk include any other substances not already assessed as high or medium.

The level of risk depends not only on the toxicity or flammability of the hazardous chemical but also on the nature of exposure including frequency of use, quantities used, effectiveness of existing controls (such as exhaust or ventilation systems) and the processes involved at the workplace.
For example, some spray painting processes may be more suitable than others when attempting
to minimise the exposure of a hazardous chemical or the risk of fire (see Table 4).
Further guidance on managing risks associated with hazardous chemicals is available in the Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Table 4 Characteristics of spray painting and powder coating activities

Process                                                    Characteristics

Conventional compressed air (low pressure) spray painting     * extensive overspray of potentially hazardous chemicals
                                                              * bounce of potentially hazardous chemicals in cavities and
                                                                at corners (rebound)
Airless (high pressure) spray painting                        * risk of injection injury and static electricity that could cause
                                                                a spark
                                                              * less overspray, bounce and aerosol than conventional air spraying
                                                              * relatively high viscosity paints can be used (less solvent is needed in the paint)
                                                              * higher capacity (flow rate) and faster application
Air assisted airless spray painting                           * risk of injection injury
                                                              * less aerosol and overspray than conventional air spraying
Powder Coating                                                * high risk chemicals are used in surface preparation including chromates and hydrofluoric acid
                                                              * risk of exposure to airborne particulates and static electricity
                                                              * spray guns are heavier and more difficult to handle
Hot spraying                                                  * increase of potential for fire or explosion
                                                              * uses very little thinner
                                                              * reduced overspray
Pressure pots                                                 * risk from over pressurisation (pressure should be released before opening to refill)
                                                              * potential for vessels damage and incorrectly fitted hoses and couplings
                                                              * awkward manual tasks
                                                              * more solvents used in maintenance

The nature of spray painting or powder coating activities varies according to the object being sprayed. When assessing risk, consider how:
    * the object is positioned in relation to the worker and other people
    * the size and shape of the object and the direction of the stream of ventilating air influences how coating is applied, and
    * easy the object is to move and whether work systems and plant could be improved.
Appendix A contains an example of a risk assessment