This anonymous employer had concerns about the risk of chemical-related health hazards in their workplace. So, they asked Gavin Scarr Hall, Peninsula’s Director of Health & Safety, for expert advice.
Here's what they had to say...
Hi Gavin, I manage a local car repair garage. My workers help to fix up scratched cars and give them a fresh coat of paint when they need it. I just want to check something with you, if that’s alright? My colleague sent me a case study about a couple of workers who developed asthma as a result of working with a dangerous type of chemical found in paint. Isocyanates I believe is the right term… I am aware of the risks around isocyanates as I have to be in this line of work, but it has made me start questioning whether I’ve taken all precautions possible. I don’t want the same thing to happen to my staff (obviously). I do my best to follow safety guidance and I remind my workers to do the same, but how can I be confident I’ve done everything I need to be doing? If there’s anything you’d suggest, let me know! Anon
Gavin's reply was...
Hi Anon,
It’s really positive that you want to take precautions. It’s always better to ask than to have doubt!
You may be well aware of what an isocyanate is and why exposure can be so harmful, but just to give you a brief overview in case - and for anyone who might not be clear…
Isocyanates are highly reactive chemicals and you can find them in products like paint, coatings, foams and adhesives. They're also considered hazardous chemicals under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). That’s why it’s the employer’s responsibility to look at any work activities in their business that would involve using isocyanates – and assess the potential level of risk to their staff.
"My colleague sent me a case study about a couple of who workers who developed asthma as a result of working with a dangerous type of chemical found in paint. Isocyanates I believe is the right term…”
There are usually a few key signs that an employee has been affected by the isocyanate chemical.
However, it’s not always easy to identify symptoms as chemical-related. Symptoms of isocyanate exposure are very similar to uncomfortable flu-like symptoms, like a persistent cough, blocked or runny nose, and shortness of breath.
It’s true that over time, breathing in isocyanate mist can actually cause asthma – as reported in the case study you mentioned. It’s even been reported that people who spray vehicle paint are 80 times more likely to get asthma (HSE).
Inhaling just a small amount could be enough to trigger an asthma attack.
Isocyanates can also do more than just affect your respiratory system. They can seriously irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat, so it’s really important to take steps to mitigate these risks.
“I am aware of the risks around isocyanates as I have to be in this line of work, but it has made me start questioning whether I’ve taken all precautions possible”
Because nearly every vehicle body shop uses paints and lacquers that contain isocyanates, you do need to take extra care.
You mention your workers also use spray paint, so they fall into that high-risk category.
When it comes to making sure you’ve covered all bases, you need to look at the way you’ve set up your risk assessments. When you’re looking at chemical risks like this, you need to think about:
- Who is likely to be most at risk of isocyanate exposure – consider the employees who use the products and any members of the public who might also be affected.
- What kind of products you use that contain isocyanates (you’ll typically find this chemical in paint and foams, but isocyanates can also come in different forms).
- How you carry out the work – a large amount of spray and mist can increase the risk of health hazards to anyone in the nearby vicinity.
- The location where the work happens – spraying paints in an enclosed space with little ventilation can also increase the risk of ill-health.
“I do my best to follow safety guidance and I remind my workers to do the same, but how can I be confident I’ve done everything I need to be doing?”
You can take certain control measures to help reduce the risks here, like:
- Making sure areas are well ventilated – always keep windows and doors open when spray painting. If you can’t ventilate your rooms properly, you should provide your workers with respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- Asking employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) - like safety goggles or a face shield to protect their skin and eyes.
- Training workers on important safety controls – make sure they understand what to do to protect themselves and how to identify symptoms of isocyanate-related ill health.
- Supervise – make sure that your workers are definitely following the safety protocols, like using the PPE and safe working practices.
- Carrying out health checks – a competent Health & Safety person should carry out lung function testing and an asthma questionnaire on a yearly basis for workers who spend time using aerosols that contain isocyanates.
I think you’re doing the right thing by checking Anon, even if you’re already taking the steps I’ve mentioned.
If you’d like to know more about how to carry out effective risk assessments for controlling the hazards related to isocyanate exposure, our experts would be more than happy to discuss this further with you over a call perhaps?
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