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Painting Hazards and Workplace Safety Control Measures

Painting Hazards and Workplace Safety Control Measures

PPE for Spray Painting | Respirator Requirements

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    Water-based Painting

    When hazard exposure is less than occupational expsoure limit, disposable respirators might be suitable. Disposable respirators can provide upto an APF of 10.

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    Solvent-based Painting

    Solvent-based paints often contain a higher level of organic solvents, requiring a respirator with a higher protection factor. Resusable respirators can provide upto an APF of 25.

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    Industrial powder coatings

    These coatings typically have minimal or no VOCs, flammability is a possible hazard requiring a respirator meeting intrinsically safe standards.

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    Clean-up Solvents

    Clean-up solvents require respirators that support varying protection factors. PAPRs can provide upto an APF of 100.


PPE Knowledge Series Quick Safety Guides

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    Too busy to read lengthy articles or guides? Save your time by watching our series of short videos to learn standards & how to select the most suitable personal protective equipment for your workplace. Topics covered include:

    • Fall Protection Equipment Inspection – Why, Who, What & How? 
    • When to Use Disposable, Reusable, Powered Air or Supplied Air Respirator?
    • Understanding Respirator Particulate Filter Efficiency & Standards
    • Which Chemical Cartridge Should You Select for Your Application?
    • Different Types of Hearing Protection Equipment and When to Use Them
    • Access to PPE Knowledge Series ON24 Hub


Explore Metalworking Hazard Infographics

Find out how are your workers exposed to these hazards, their health effects and how to protect against it.

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    Powder Coating

    Learn about the health risks of powder coatings, including eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as potential asthma and dermatitis from exposure during manufacturing, spraying, and cleaning. Protect yourself by using proper respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling powder coatings.

  • Image of stacked metal bars, square beams, and a welding electrode box
    Liquid Industrial Paints

    Learn about the hazards of liquid industrial paints, including exposure to harmful VOCs like Xylene, Toluene, and Ethyl acetate, through activities such as brushing, rolling, and spraying. Understand the health risks such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and sensitization to isocyanates. Discover essential protective measures with appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE).


The Value of Working with your 3M Team

Not only do we develop and manufacture PPE you need for your industrial painting projects, but we also offer trainings, resources, and access to our health and safety specialist. All here to help you achieve your safety needs.

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    PPE Standardization

    Standardizing PPE across your workforce can help with satisfying certification considerations, selection and use regulations, as well as worksite program requirements. You may find cost savings by ordering from one source.

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    Reputable Manufacturer

    Trust our PPE quality that's known for durability and reliability—made possible by our stringent development processes. Our global manufacturing footprint allows us to test, supply, and source at a local level to help comply with specific area requirements and preferences.

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    Global to Local

    Our global team is knowledgeable about local PPE standards to help you make important decisions when it comes to complying with regulations and ordinances with an eye towards helping you fulfill your personal worksite requirements, timelines, and program goals.

    Our trained specialists also stay up to date on industry best practices and trends to offer additional beneficial recommendations.

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    Health and Safety Specialist

    Our dedicated safety specialists can help you understand all the options available and what will help protect your workers from the hazards they may face.

    CONTACT US


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Our health & safety specialists are here to help you.

Choosing a Powered Air Purifying Respirator | Painting in Many Applications

  • worker in coveralls wearing 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR
    • Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) are a suitable selection for many painting applications and when using a variety of paint types. Benefits of a PAPR include:
       

      • Option for intrinsically safe components when flammability is a factor
      • Allows use by wearers who have limited amounts of facial hair, when loose-fitting painter's hoods or helmets are used
      • Fit test is not required, when loose-fitting headgear is used
      • Flexible configurations
      • Cartridge options to meet the protection factor requirements when exposured to Isocynates and other hazards

      EXPLORE OUR PAPR FOR INDUSTRIAL

      REQUEST A DEMO


  • Image of 3M™ GoggleGear™ 500 Series Safety Goggles
    Spray Paint Goggles

    Maintain visibility and help prevent exposure to paint particles with safety goggles. 3M googles have optional features, including:
     

    • Anti-fog coating
    • Scratch-resistance
    • Pressure-diffusion technology helping improve comfort
  • Image of 3M™ Disposable Protective Coverall 4540+
    Coveralls for Spray Painting

    When you need full body coverage and protection from some liquid splashes or sprays and hazardous particles, see if protective coveralls work for you. 3M offers variety of coveralls with breathable fabrics and comfortable features.

  • Image of 3M™ Protecta Vest-Style Harness
    Paint-repelling Full-body Harness

    When your industrial painting project has you working at height, look for a full-body harness with webbing material that can repel paint particles. Select 3M full-body harness come with repel-webbing technology to help maintain the cleanliness and integrity of your equipment.


Training Your Team | Workplace Safety Information for Industrial Painting

Find some of our most popular resources to help you train your team.

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    Head-to-toe PPE

    From head to toe, we have the PPE to keep you protected all over. This infographic will outline the variety of PPE available to support you and your painting application needs.

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    Learning Guide: PPE for Industrial Painting

    We've created this guide to help you learn more about common painting hazards, injuries and control measures you can take to help provide a safer workplace.

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    Tech Bulletin: Industrial Paint Hazards

    This technical bulletin outlines commonly used types of paints, their hazards, and the PPE you may want to consider to help protect your workforce.

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    On-site Safety Training

    Review what trainings are available to help your employees protect themselves during the painting process.


Webinar: Workplace Safety for Painting

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    Register: 10 things to consider adding to your documented safety program

    This webinar will provide information on common hazards and potential health effects associated with metal painting and coating activities, including:

    • inhalation of organic vapors and coating overspray,
    • exposures to diisocyanates from polyurethane coatings, and
    • exposure to hexavalent chromium in chromate-based coatings.