House Painter

Knowing how to read a Material Safety Data Sheet is important.

It will tell you how to ensure your safety while working with products like paints and other finishes. This in turn will protect your health and thereby protect your future earnings.

A house painter also has to be familiar with a MSDS in the event a government safety officer inspects the site. The inspector may look for a copy of the MSDS on the job site to ensure workers have the opportunity to inform themselves of workplace hazards. The inspector may also ask the painter the following questions:

What are you using?
What is in it that's toxic?
What should you do about personal protective equipment?
What should you do in case of a spill or accident?

"By rights, they can shut you down if you don't tell them a right answer. Some of the materials are very toxic and could be dangerous if not handled properly," says David Lick, an instructor of painting and decorating.

"Our industry is a lot safer than it used to be. Painters can work with these materials without any ill effects as long as they follow the safety precautions," he says.

Here are the answers to the questions, based on the MSDS provided:

  1. Toxic ingredients and their percentages:
    QUARTZ SiO2 3.0 - 7.0%
    LO ODOR MIN. SPIRITS 10.0 - 30.0%
    MINERAL SPIRITS 7.0 - 13.0%
  2. The physical characteristics of the ingredients, if they are flammable or nonflammable, liquid or solvent, reactive or nonreactive:
    Combustible liquid; Auto-Ignition Temp.(deg. C): 227
    Do not mix with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids or bases, amines, halogens.
  3. How the individual ensures personal protection:
    PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Chemical resistant
    EYE PROTECTION: Goggles
    RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: NIOSH-approved organic vapor cartridge mask or air supplied respirator. Add particulate cartridge during spray application.
    OTHER CLOTHING: Rubber apron
  4. What to do in case of a spill
    SPILL AND LEAK PROCEDURE: Remove all sources of ignition. Prevent the spill from entering sewers or watercourses. Contain spread. Notify appropriate authorities. Ventilate enclosed spaces and wear respiratory protection. Pump up using explosion-proof equipment or soak up with sand or other non-flammable, inert absorbent.

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