MCR Safety has over forty years of experience as a leader in the field of personal protective equipment (PPE). Our assortment of offerings includes gloves, glasses, and garments which are made from the highest quality materials available to ensure maximum safety, comfort, and style.
Cars are one of the most common forms of transportation in the world. So, it should come as no surprise that the modern automotive and motor vehicle manufacturing industry is one of the top employment industries in the world. The industry is a hazardous one, with lots of moving parts and plenty of opportunities for injury. The dangers present are why wearing PPE on the job is so important. One position that is known for its inherent risk is painting.
Painters work with a variety of toxic paints, sealers and adhesive coatings. They need a range of PPE to guard against these hazards.
MCR Safety supports the automotive industry by providing exceptional, affordable PPE gear that painters are likely to need on the job to protect themselves from the hazards they face at work. They're committed to safeguarding painters from harsh paint chemicals by offering high-quality paint gloves, safety glasses and protective clothing.
They offer a variety of robust and waterproof gloves to ensure paint and other liquids never touch your hands. Their gloves come equipped with a snug fit to hug your hands while offering maximum tactile grip and sense of touch, so you don't lose any dexterity and can perform your job safely and effectively. Combine form-fitting gloves with anti-fog face shields and comfortable aprons, and you'll be painting with premier protection.
MCR Safety believes you work better when you are both comfortable and safe. If you use toxic paints and chemicals in your automotive paint job, they have the PPE you need to protect yourself on the job every day. Below, you will find information on car painters, the health hazards they face, and suggestions for their top PPE to keep them protected.
Who Painters Are and What They Do
Painters, especially car painters, operate spray-painting machines to paint automobile surfaces. They may also apply sealers and adhesives. While the majority of painting on new vehicles is automated, some specialized work and detailing still needs to be done by hand.
The chemicals in these industrial paints and liquids pose many hazards to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. A car painter is responsible for a variety of tasks that may expose them to these hazards. A typical day on the job may include:
- Mixing paints to achieve a specified color, or stirring and thinning paints either by hand or with power mixing equipment;
- Removing dirt, grease, old paint, or rust from vehicle surfaces to prepare for painting;
- Spray painting surfaces with primers, color and finishes; and
- Disposing of hazardous waste per guidelines.
Mixing Paint
While every automotive painter should have the proper training to do their job safely, accidents can still happen. Every worker on the paint floor needs to take necessary precautions, including wearing the right PPE.
Health and Safety Concerns
When working as a painter in a body shop, there are many health and safety risks to keep in mind. An excellent resource for anyone seeking additional insight into health and safety is Painter: OSH Answers. It dives into the hazards and risks associated with the job of painting in a variety of applications:
Contact with solvents, lead and other toxic substances
Painters work with a variety of chemicals that pose a threat to bare skin. Cleaning solvents, paint and sealers can all be caustic or cause serious illness if absorbed through the skin. Frequent exposure to these toxins can cause skin irritation and rashes, blisters, first- or second-degree burns, eye-watering and sinus problems.
Eye injuries from liquid splash
Any number of small accidents can cause a toxic liquid in a body shop to splash up into a worker's face. While these liquids aren't suitable for any part of your body, they can cause immediate and permanent damage to your eyes. For this reason, auto painters are required to wear goggles or safety glasses at all times.
Eye injuries from sanding and grinding bare metal or painted surfaces
Anytime you sand, scrape or grind something, airborne particulates are created. It's easy for these minuscule particles to irritate and scratch the surface of your eyes. When sanding and preparing surfaces for painting, auto painters should wear face shields to protect their eyes from floating particles.
Skin irritation
It can be challenging to contain paint particles when spray painting. The droplets are so small; you may not even notice them settling on your skin at first. However, the chemicals in the paint can be caustic enough to cause redness, rash, irritation, itching and burning.
The best way to keep your skin safe from accidental paint exposure is to cover it with protective clothing. PPE for painting hazards, including disposable clothing, comes in many different fabrics that are breathable, durable and abrasion resistant. Because it is disposable, you can throw it out after a few uses and not worry about bringing chemicals with you off the work floor.
Contact while mixing paint products
Mixing paint and painting products is an easy way to be exposed to paint and fumes. Always mix materials in a designated, well-ventilated area and wear a mask, goggles and protective clothing. If mixing by hand, disposable gloves are a must. Be sure to dispose of single-use gloves properly.
Automotive painters can always protect themselves from the hazards mentioned above by wearing appropriate safety equipment. Safety goggles, face shields, thick coveralls, gloves and steel-toe boots are all valuable PPE to wear on the job.
Continue reading this article here to see MCR Safety's options for spray painting PPE.
Previously Featured on MCR Safety's blog.
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