Painting Hazards and Workplace Safety Control Measures

PPE selection information and hazard education resources for you and your industrial painting team.

PPE for Spray Painting | Respirator Requirements

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    Water-based Painting

    When hazard exposure is less than occupational Exposure limit, disposable respirators might be suitable. Disposable respirators can provide up to 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. Reusable respirators can provide up to an APF of 100 for certain combinations.

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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 up to an APF of 10 for gas/vapour filters.

NOTE: When spraying Isocyanate containing paints and materials, SafeWork Australia and WorkSafe New Zealand require the use of Supplied Air Respiratory protection such as a airline. Safe Work Australia state that “Organic vapour respirators with particulate pre-filters and powered air purifying respirators are not suitable when spraying isocyanates, as they do not provide adequate protection” Safe Work Australia Guide to handling isocyanates July 2020. Be sure to check the paint being used to confirm the constituents so the appropriate respiratory protection can be selected. Learn more - Hazard Awareness Bulletin – Lsocyanates (PDF, 161 KB) .


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.

    Download the Powder Coatings Hazard Infographic (PDF, 38.6 MB)

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    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).

    Download the Paint infographics (PDF, 556 KB)


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 Standardisation

    Standardising 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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    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.


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Our health & safety specialists are here to help you.

Choosing a Powered Air Purifying Respirator | Painting in Many Applications

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    • 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 exposed to Isocynates and other hazards

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    Spray Paint Goggles

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

    • Anti-fog coating
    • Scratch-resistance
    • Pressure-diffusion technology helping improve comfort
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    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.

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    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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    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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