SOLVENTS NOTES: This symbol ▼ indicates you need to click the mouse before reading the next line or slide. 2. Statements in Italics are meant as a guide for you, a recommendation of what to do. 3. The word DISCUSSION indicates that the slide content is organized in a Question and Answer format. After you read each question, have students shout out the answers or call on students. Repeat answers as needed so everyone can hear them. 4. “----” indicates a short pause to give students time to answer the question. 5. The words in bold appear on the slide. -----------end NOTES------------------ Today we will talk about Solvents. The products that contain solvents and how you may be exposed to them in a collision shop, and what can you do to protect yourself. ▼

Characteristics Dissolve or disperse other chemicals Evaporate quickly  you may inhale solvent vapors Flammable solvents are a fire hazard Solvents are used to dissolve or disperse other chemicals. ▼   Solvents evaporate quickly. This means that liquids readily become vapors that you may inhale. ▼ Many solvents are also flammable and can be a fire hazard in the shop. ▼

Products and Operations Paint systems  mixing and spraying Lacquer thinner  cleaning spray guns Body filler and hardeners  body repair work Degreasers  removing adhesives & paint prep Polishing and buffing compounds  detailing Gasoline  damage estimate/car return Many products used in collision shops contain solvents. Let’s look at some of these products and the operations that involve solvents: Paint systems release solvents during mixing and spraying ▼ Lacquer thinner is used for spray guns cleaning These operations use the largest amounts of solvents. ▼ Body fillers and hardeners - used in body repair work ▼ Degreasers - used for removing adhesives and in paint prep work ▼ Polishing and buffing compounds - used in detailing ▼ And Gasoline . ▼

Labels Manufacturer’s name Product name Hazard warning Signal word Safety and health hazards You should always know the hazards of the products you are working with. The container label is a good place to start. It will give you a summary of the hazards.   The label will include: ▼ Manufacturer’s name – in this case – Spies Hecker ▼ The product name – in this case –Priomat – Plastic Reducer ▼ And a hazard warning which includes: a signal word - Warning! or Danger! and the main safety and health hazards. On this label the signal word is Warning!, and the main safety and health hazard is “Flammable liquid and vapor. Harmful if inhaled”. Remember, the label is not a substitute for the safety data sheet ▼

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Ingredients Physical and chemical characteristics Fire and explosion data Health hazard data Precautions for safe handling and use Control measures The Safety Data Sheet or SDS, provides in-depth information about the products you work with.   Key sections on an SDS include: ▼ Ingredients ▼ Physical and chemical characteristics ▼ Fire and explosion data ▼ Health Hazard data ▼ Precautions for safe handling and use ▼ And, Control measures Know where the SDS are located in your shop. Tell students where to find SDS in your shop. ▼

Routes of Exposure Inhalation – solvent vapors Skin contact – liquid solvents Inhalation of solvent vapors is the main route of exposure. ▼ Many liquid solvents can enter your body through contact with your skin. However, you cannot always tell when this occurs. ▼ Never clean your hands using products containing solvents! You are exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. ▼

Short-term Health Effects Vapors Contact with liquid: Dizziness Drowsiness Headache Nausea Eye irritation Dry skin Eye irritation Health effects of short-term exposure to solvent vapors include: Dizziness Drowsiness Headache Nausea And eye irritation. Some describe these symptoms as “feeling slightly drunk”. ▼ Repeated contact with liquid solvents can make your skin dry and cracked. If solvent splashes in your eyes you will experience eye irritation.▼

If you experience symptoms: Evaluate your work area Check that ventilation is working Evaluate your work practices Check your PPE If you experience health symptoms when working with solvents, ▼ stop what you are doing and go to an area with clean, fresh air. ▼ When the symptoms clear: evaluate your work area – are there any open containers nearby? Are there any spills? Check that the ventilation is working properly Evaluate your work practices – could you use a solvent-soaked rag instead of spraying? Check your personal protective equipment ▼

Long-term Health Effects Damage to your nervous system Liver problems Skin rash Long-term exposure to solvents may cause health effects such as: Damage to the nervous system Liver problems Skin rash Consult the SDS for a list of health effects specific to the products you work with. ▼

Health Effects Severity of health effects depends on: Type & amount of solvent you are exposed to Duration of exposure – daily and over time Where & how you do your work The severity of the health effects you might experience after exposure to solvents depends on: ▼   The type and amount of solvent you are exposed to. Some solvents are more harmful than others. ▼ Duration of exposure - each day and over time. ▼ And, where and how you do your work. For example, do you work a well-ventilated area? Do you use any personal protective equipment? ▼

Minimize your exposure Use in well-ventilated areas Minimize spraying outside the booth Label all containers Find a safer substitute Store properly Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) To minimize your exposure to solvents: ▼ Use in well-ventilated areas – for example: spray all solvent-based coats in a paint booth. ▼ Avoid spraying if possible – for example: use a pre-soaked cloth when degreasing surfaces instead of spraying the degreaser. ▼ Label all containers with the name of the product and the main hazard– for example: if you transfer paint thinner in a smaller bottle – write down the name of the product and the warning word appearing on the main container or SDS - such as “flammable” or “harmful if inhaled” ▼ Find a safer substitute – such as low VOC or water-based products. ▼ Store all chemical products properly to prevent spills. Keep all containers closed when not in use and store all chemicals away from high traffic areas. ▼ Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) ▼

Chemical–resistant Gloves Selection factors: specific chemicals you work with type of contact: Immersion Splash Accidental contact Medical-grade latex Select chemical-resistant gloves that will protect you by taking into consideration: The specific chemical you work with. The type of contact you anticipate: ▼ Immersion Splashes Or Accidental contact Do not use medical-grade latex gloves. ▼ They will not protect you and they can cause skin problems. For most operations in collision shops, nitrile gloves, 8 mils in thickness are sufficient. However, they don’t work for ALL the chemicals you may handle. Nitrile 8 mils – for most operations

PPE – Eye Protection Use eye protection that seals completely around your eyes to prevent contact from splashes or spray mist. ▼ Protect your goggles from scratches, and store them away from heat and sunlight. Rinse them immediately if they were splashed with chemicals. ▼

PPE - Respirators Spraying products other than paint, primer, and clear coats  very low solvent concentrations  respirators are optional Spraying products other than paint, primer, and clear coats generate very low solvent concentrations which are not harmful. Therefore, respirator use is optional. ▼ However, if you chose to use a respirator, be sure and follow all the requirements about use, storage and maintenance. This information is described in detail the Respirators module Part 1 – Respiratory Protection – Air-purifying Respirators. Use only respirators with charcoal cartridges with a black label stating “for organic vapors”. ▼ Do NOT use a dust mask to protect yourself from solvents! Vapors pass through the filter and you inhale them. ▼ black label “for organic vapors”

Fire prevention Eliminate ignition sources Store properly Ground & bond containers No damaged lights in the paint booth Many solvents used in collision shops are also a fire hazard. Prevent fires by following these precautions: ▼    Eliminate ignition sources from areas where solvents are used. Never smoke in the shop. ▼ Store solvents properly. Limit the amount of flammable materials stored outside of the mixing room or flammable storage cabinets. Keep containers covered when not in use. ▼ Ground and bond the drum and the receiving container when pouring or pumping paint thinner. This prevents the buildup of static electricity and the generation of sparks. Be sure that the grounding and bonding wires are attached directly onto bare metal, and not over paint. ▼   Be sure that the lights in the paint booth are in good condition. ▼

Flash Point Fluid Flashpoint (oF) Automatic Trans. Fluid 302-383 Brake Fluid 210-375 Coolant       Ethylene Glycol (100%) 232-260     Propylene Glycol (100%) 210-230 Diesel Fuel 100-204 Gasoline (50-100 octane) -36 to -45 Engine Oil (conventional and synthetic) 300-495 Methanol (in windshield fluid) 52-108 R134a 140 KPa (5.5 Psig) 350 Starter Fluid (ethyl ether) -49 Lowest temperature at which enough fluid can evaporate to form a combustible concentration of gas The lower the flash point the easier the product will burn Examples The flash point is the lowest temperature at which enough fluid can evaporate to form a combustible concentration of gas. ▼ The lower the flash point the easier the product will burn . ▼ Let’s look at some examples. Here you see a range of temperatures listed, because the testing methods or the composition of products in the same class – for example “diesel fuel” – can vary. The SDS for a specific product will usually list a singe number. Here is the information for the plastic reducer we saw in the beginning of this module. ▼ http://depts.washington.edu/vehfire/fuels/flashpoint.html

Spies Hecker Plastic Reducer 8581 This product has a flash point of 75F. We will talk more about fire safety in the shop in another module. For now, keep in mind that whenever you handle solvents – especially products with low flash points – open flames and sparks must be avoided to prevent fires and explosions. Add information specific to other products your students use in the shop. ▼

Summary Most solvents readily evaporate and many are flammable May irritate your skin and eyes, and can affect your nervous system and liver Use chemical-resistant gloves and goggles Store and handle properly – minimize risk of fire In summary, when working with solvents, remember that: ▼ Most solvents readily evaporate and many are flammable. ▼ Solvents may irritate your skin and eyes, and can affect your nervous system and liver ▼ Use properly selected chemical-resistant gloves and goggles ▼ Reduce the risk of fire by handling and storing solvents properly ▼ Never smoke in the shop! ▼ Never use solvents to clean your skin! ▼ Never smoke in the shop! Never use solvents to clean your skin!

Questions? Do you have any questions?