General Safety Information - Cameleon Paints | Industrial Coatings | Protective Coatings | Toll Manufacturing | Textured Coatings

General Safety Information

The following information concerns Health & Safety requirements, industrial hygiene and potential hazards associated with the handling of Cameleon’s Paints and Thinners.

They are by no means exhaustive, and cannot cover every possible eventuality arising from the use of paints and thinners.

Advice should be sought on local regulations governing the use and storage of paints as these may vary from state to state.

Accidental Poisoning & MSDS

In the event of accidental poisoning please contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126, or phone the Cameleon Coatings Emergency Contact on 0413 610 147.

Product Material Safety Data Sheets are available on our website or by request from Cameleon Coatings Head Office in Wangara

Always read and understand the Safety Directions or MSDS before opening or applying the product.

General Safety Information

All paints and thinners are a combination of different chemicals, some of which can be deemed hazardous to humans, eg organic solvents, polyamide resins, Isocyanates etc. These chemicals have the potential to cause eye, skin, or nose and throat irritation, and in some instances can lead to the development of respiratory and dermal injuries.

Everyone has different tolerance levels, with some people experiencing no problems, and others experiencing symptoms immediately. For instance, some people may develop dermatitis upon a single minor exposure and develop subsequent intolerance or sensitization to a particular chemical, whereas others can experience no problems whatsoever.

There is no readily available method to identify those individuals who may be intolerant. Therefore, it is always necessary to avoid direct contact with any paint or thinner wherever possible by the use of:

1. Good personal hygiene

2. Personal protective equipment;

3. Adequate ventilation.

Personal Hygiene

The following advice should be heeded by all individuals when handling or using any paints or thinners to minimise the risk of sensitization, irritation or other health problems:

Individuals with a known skin sensitivity, existing dermatitis or dermal condition should not use or apply paints unless medical permission has been sought.

Food and drink should never be consumed, stored, or prepared in areas where paint or thinners are stored or applied. In case of accidental poisoning by ingestion SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.

Do not smoke whilst using paints or thinners.

Remove protective clothing and wash hands before meals or using toilet facilities.

Always use a barrier cream on exposed skin if protective clothing such as full sleeved overalls is impractical.

Upon removal of barrier creams at the end of work, application of moisturising cream is recommended to re-fat the skin.

Do not expose cuts or abrasions to paints or thinners – this will provide chemicals a direct entry into the blood stream.

NEVER wash hands or any other skin surface that has been exposed to contact by paint with thinners or solvents. ALWAYS use soap and water to clean up.

Personal Protective Equipment

The following minimum Protective Equipment should be used whenever applying or using paints or thinners:

Solvent Impermeable Gloves

Always use solvent impermeable gloves to prevent skin contact with paints and thinners. Gloves should be washed free of contamination before removal to reduce the risk of accidental skin contact during the removal process.

Overalls

Where possible wear full sleeved protective overalls, but where this is impractical then sensible working clothes that cover as much skin surface as possible should be worn. Cover all exposed skin surface with a good quality barrier cream to minimise the risk of exposure. If clothing should become soaked with paint or thinners, then remove immediately, taking care to avoid contact with skin. Thoroughly wash soiled clothing with soap and water before re-use.

Barrier Creams

Barrier creams should be used as a complement to protective clothing, and should be applied to all skin that might potentially be exposed to paints or thinners. Always remember, barrier creams are of limited use and should not be regarded as substitutes for good personal hygiene or as a replacement for solvent impermeable gloves.

Always re-apply barrier creams after washing skin.

In the event that paints or thinners are splashed onto skin, then remove immediately with soap and water. Remember. NEVER use solvents or thinners to remove paint from skin.

Face Masks

Eyes are particularly vulnerable to exposure by splashing, so where possible always wear a full face respirator. Where this is impossible or impractical, then protective eyewear must be worn.

It is recommended in instances where there is a risk of inhalation, that an organic / particulate respirator meeting the requirements of AS/NZS1715 and AS/NZ1716 is worn.

If paint or thinners are splashed in the eyes then immediately irrigate with copious quantities of water for at least 15 minutes, ensuring that the eyelids are held open. Remove contaminated clothing and seek immediate medical advice.

Where paints are applied by brush, all that is normally required is either a face shield or protective eyewear. However, if signs of narcosis are felt, then a protective mask should be used. Dust masks are NOT SUITABLE protection against organic vapours.

Always store protective masks in sealed containers away from potential exposure to organic vapours. Once exposed to the atmosphere activated charcoal filters continue to absorb organic vapours and will have a reduced life expectancy if left exposed to fumes.

Polyurethane Products

When spraying isocyanate containing products an air fed respirator should be used at all times. Sensitization to Isocyanates is possible via inhalation of atomized particles.

Ventilation

Always ensure adequate ventilation whilst using to prevent the build up of fumes and vapours. Organic vapours are heavier than air and will accumulate in low lying areas, and this can be especially dangerous in confined spaces such as tanks or small rooms. If application is likely to lead to exposure to fumes in a confined area, then an air fed respirator must be worn at all times.

Dizziness, drunkenness, headache and nausea are all symptoms of exposure to solvent fumes. In the event of overexposure to solvent fumes leading to collapse, remove the individual to fresh air, ensuring your own safety. Remove any contaminated clothing and allow the person to rest comfortably on their side until fully recovered. In extreme circumstances, if the patient ceases breathing or is unconscious seek IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. Artificial respiration or CPR may be required.

Never use solvent based paints or thinners in proximity to sources of ignition or open flame. Solvent vapours can travel along the surface of the ground and flash back once ignited. They can flow down drains and ducts and affect people working in other areas that may not be protected.

Fire & Explosion

Once opened, paint and thinner containers release solvent vapours. The flash point of the paint or thinner is the lowest temperature that the product will give off sufficient vapour to form an inflammable mixture with air. If the flash point is lower than or close to the ambient air temperature there is a risk of fire or explosion. It requires only a spark or open flame to ignite inflammable vapours.

If the flash point is higher than the ambient temperature than the risk is significantly reduced. However, it is good work practice to disallow the presence of naked flames, matches, lighters, cigarettes in areas where flammable goods are used or stored. Precautions should be taken against static discharges and the location of non flame-proof electrical appliances.

Should a fire involving paint or thinners occur then:

1.  
   1. DO NOT use water to attempt to extinguish. Most solvents float on water and this may spread the fire.
   2. DO use a dry chemical, foam or CO₂ Extinguisher.
   3. Protect yourself from fumes with breathing Apparatus.

Chemical fires are prone to emitting toxic gases ranging from CO₂ to Ammonia. Avoid breathing in smoke and fumes from fires unless suitably protected.

Always warn people down-wind of chemical fires to evacuate immediately and always seek immediate assistance from your local emergency services.

Solvent fires can spread extremely quickly. DO NOT put yourself or others at risk.

Spillage

Should a spillage of paints or thinners occur the following procedure should be followed: (If the spillage is of a major nature then the relevant local authority and the fire service should be notified immediately). 

1.  
   1. Do not allow spilt material to enter drains or run off into waterways
   2. Absorb spilled material with sand, earth, or other inert absorbent material. DO NOT use sawdust or paper.
   3. Collect and seal in properly labelled drums for subsequent disposal in an approved facility.
   4. Ventilate area to remove fumes.