Construction Contracting: 4 Essential Safety Strategies When Mixing Volatile Paints

When working with paints containing volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, it is very important to take certain safety precautions. VOCs in paints are solvents that get released into the air when mixing paint, spraying it, and while it dries. VOCs can cause acute and chronic harmful health symptoms if inhaled, gotten on skin, splashed in eyes, or ingested. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, dermatitis, respiratory conditions, and poisoning.

Some paint solvents are highly flammable. If the components are not properly mixed, or if used near heating elements or fires, these solvents can ignite. Let’s review some of the safety strategies to incorporate when mixing volatile paints.

Work In A Well Ventilated Space

Mixing of volatile paint components must be performed in an area that has adequate natural ventilation. Weather permitting; mixing is preferably done outdoors, or in a wide open garage space.

Some volatile paints have 2 part components. One is the pigment base and the other is the solvent base used to achieve the proper consistency for maximum surface coverage, adherence, and solidity. While working with the components, it is advisable that a protective mask be worn, in addition to having good ventilation. Breathing in solvents can be acutely harmful and cause respiratory damage.

Dress Appropriately

Volatile paints contain chemicals that can stain clothing and be irritating to skin. You should always wear protective gear over your clothes. Paint supply centers sell disposable coveralls or jump suits that can be worn over clothing and then tossed at the end of the day. Be sure to protect your hands with gloves. Again, these can be purchased at paint supply stores or online in bulk. Dermatitis can result from long term exposure to VOCs.

Protecting your eyes with goggles or face splash guards is a good idea when mixing and working with volatile paints. Paint can splash when mixing, drip when rolling or brushing, or be airborne when spraying. Getting solvents in your eyes could mean a trip to the emergency room to have them flushed.

Avoid Any Potential Fire Hazard

First, check the job site to make sure there aren’t any exposed electrical, heating elements, or open fires nearby. Relocate your set up if there is any potential fire hazard.

Next, choose your mixing equipment wisely. When working with potentially flammable volatile chemicals it is necessary to use an air mixer, rather than an electric mixer. Electric mixers can cause sparks and potentially ignite the chemicals. An air mixer uses compressed air to power the mixing propeller. There are different types of air mixers available, and make sure to know the functions of a laboratory air mixer before you use it, to be sure it meets your safety needs and standards.

Protect Workers And The General Public

Always have plenty of fresh, clean water and an emergency first aid kit on hand in case you do get paint in your eyes or you accidentally ingest it.

Be mindful of others by remembering to put caution tape up to keep unauthorized personnel from entering your work space where you are mixing the paint. At the end of each day clean up the job site and secure mixers, tools, and paints. Don’t ever leave opened cans of volatile paint in publicly accessed areas.

While the EPA has been moving us away from using volatile paints for many years, it just isn’t always a practical solution for certain types of projects. Solvents perform a very necessary function of paint, which is to help bring it to a solid state. VOCs that are released are the evaporative gasses or fumes of the chemicals used to help wet paint dry to a hard protective finish.

These can be great products. But, you must be cognizant of the potential safety hazards while mixing and working with volatile compounds. It makes sense for the safety of you, your employees, and clients to follow a few simple tips to ensure that everyone is safe, especially while mixing volatile paints.