Glasswork Safety Tips
10-31-2003, 12:15 PM
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Glasswork Safety Tips
Hey Gang,
I piddle with glasswork, mostly epoxy. I do r/c boats. I'm curious as to what safety precautions others take to protect their health. I wear gloves, a mask and work in a ventilated shop. I know that certain individuals will become "sensitized" to the epoxies, does this usually come about right away, or is it a slow process? I have heard the argument that nitrile gloves are better than others? True? Any input or practices are always appreciated. Thanks
J. Branham
I piddle with glasswork, mostly epoxy. I do r/c boats. I'm curious as to what safety precautions others take to protect their health. I wear gloves, a mask and work in a ventilated shop. I know that certain individuals will become "sensitized" to the epoxies, does this usually come about right away, or is it a slow process? I have heard the argument that nitrile gloves are better than others? True? Any input or practices are always appreciated. Thanks
J. Branham
11-01-2003, 03:55 AM
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RE: Glasswork Safety Tips
I work at a door manufacturing plant in their paint room. Having gone though their haz-mat training and such i found myself asking the same question to the company's chemical guru.
The answer he gave me was that by far the resins in the epoxy were far my toxic than any thing i handled. which to name a few are m.e.k., isocyanate's, butyl ... you need to wear a respirator with a charcoal filter designed for organic vapors. as far as sensitization goes, it depends on the individual but normally it is a slow accumulation with a rapid end. an example they gave was of a man who did auto painting, for years he did not wear any protection. he started to have breathing problems. they traced it back to a sensitization. the man started to wear a respirator and everything was good. years later he spilled some of the sensitized substance on himself and was dead before they got him to the e.r. extreme yes, scary yes. don't take chances. you never know if you are prone to sensitization. as far a fiberglass is concerned it gets into your lungs but does'nt come out. not good. so wear a respirator for fumes and those cheap paper masks ( properly fitted) for all glass cutting and sanding. gloves are a good idea also. as most sensitization from resins is thew the skin. dish gloves will work fine.
The answer he gave me was that by far the resins in the epoxy were far my toxic than any thing i handled. which to name a few are m.e.k., isocyanate's, butyl ... you need to wear a respirator with a charcoal filter designed for organic vapors. as far as sensitization goes, it depends on the individual but normally it is a slow accumulation with a rapid end. an example they gave was of a man who did auto painting, for years he did not wear any protection. he started to have breathing problems. they traced it back to a sensitization. the man started to wear a respirator and everything was good. years later he spilled some of the sensitized substance on himself and was dead before they got him to the e.r. extreme yes, scary yes. don't take chances. you never know if you are prone to sensitization. as far a fiberglass is concerned it gets into your lungs but does'nt come out. not good. so wear a respirator for fumes and those cheap paper masks ( properly fitted) for all glass cutting and sanding. gloves are a good idea also. as most sensitization from resins is thew the skin. dish gloves will work fine.
