By Christy Plunkett
Personal well being is something most people take for granted every day. People get up, go to work and continue about their daily routine. Most don't even consider the environment in which they work and how it might be affecting them. But if you work in an automotive refinishing shop, you might take your health and safety more seriously.
Paint issues, having the proper equipment and harmful environmental exposures are a common concern for workers in the automotive refinishing industry. What effects do regulations and laws have on technicians? Are they helping or hurting?
This article reviews the laws and regulations some states have to protect workers from harmful environmental exposures. It also addresses the regulations that require proper equipment usage. In addition, we will look at federal U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations on automotive refinishing and safety requirements. Then decide for yourself if the laws need to be expanded or changed.
Reviewing State Laws
In my analysis, I have found many states do not address automotive refinishing in great detail. Twenty-five states do not regulate the use or sale of automotive refinishing paints beyond federal regulations.
Of the states that do regulate refinishing, many include proper equipment usage, air pollution concerns such as volatile organic compound (VOC) content in automotive paints, and certification and training requirements. And in many cases the laws are minimal in what they require of refinishers.
For instance, in Alaska, Hawaii, Georgia, Indiana and Iowa, refinishers have to be certified by the state to operate. The certification process includes a one-time fee of approximately $100. Another example: Tennessee, Indiana and New Mexico require refinishers to be trained to operate refinishing equipment.
The following states have laws about the specific use of proper equipment. (If they have statutes, they are listed.)
- Colorado: Requires refinishers to use specific spray gun equipment.
- Michigan: Requires a permit for equipment usage.
- Indiana and Texas: Technicians must use high-volume/low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns.
Statutes: IN326IAC 8-10; TXC484-485
- Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia: Require the use of a controlled air-spray system but does not specify the type.
Statutes: IL219.784 and 218.784; NJAC 7:27-16.7; MD26.11.19.23; VA1910.102
- Oregon: Requires technicians - only in the city of Portland - to use HVLP guns and to clean guns in gun washers.
Statutes: OAR002-1910.107
- Wisconsin and Connecticut: Have spray booth requirements.
Statutes: WI: NFPA 30/30A/30B, NFPA 33, NFPA 34; CT: 22a-174-29
The following states have more stringent limits and regulations on VOC content:
- Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Rhode Island. All require the use of low VOC paints.
Statutes: MD26.11.19.23; MN115A.9651; OK252:10-37-25; RI12.031-030.1-10
The states of California, Ohio and Massachusetts each have specific laws about equipment or environmental concerns. These states have several laws regarding automotive refinishing, including proper training and equipment usage:
California
The state of California has 20 counties with rules and regulations on automotive refinishing. In some counties, California requires the use of specific equipment such as high-volume/low pressure spray guns, electrostatic application, low-volume/low-pressure spray guns or dip applications. In other counties the regulations address the VOC content in automotive paints. For instance, in San Diego, paint salesmen must provide
to customers - in writing - the manufacturer identification number for each coating and the weight of the VOC content per volume of coating.
Massachusetts
The regulations regarding automotive refinishing are listed as follows:
310CMR7.18(28)(c) - VOC content limits.
310CMR7.18(28)(d) - Container labeling requirements for paint manufacturers.
310CMR7.18(28)(g) and 310CMR1.03(13)(d) - Paint must be applied with HVLP or electrostatic spray guns.
310CMR7.18(28)(h) - Refinishers must be properly trained in spray gun operation and maintenance.
Ohio
Ohio's regulations pertain to automotive paint permits. Automotive refinishing repair shops must obtain two air permits, one to operate and one to install. Ohio law also requires shops to keep records of coating usages.
Still, most states are noncommittal on the regulation of automotive refinishers.
Federal Regulations
OSHA and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates long-term exposure to paint solvents can be very damaging to one's health, even causing death. Problems include damage to the nervous system, kidney and liver, as well as respiratory problems, dermatitis and cancer. OSHA regulates exposure to some 400 harmful substances.
In 1998, OSHA updated a 25-year-old respirator protection standard that requires employers to establish or maintain a respiratory protection system for workers in hazardous fields, such as automotive refinishing. The U.S. Department of Labor states this standard will cover “an estimated 5 million American workers in 1.3 million establishments in all industry sectors.” OSHA estimates compliance with this standard will alleviate hundreds of deaths and illnesses annually.
Contained in OSHA's respirator standard is a requirement that companies keep a written plan of workplace procedures and conduct a hazard evaluation, medical evaluation, fit testing for respirator equipment, proper training and periodic program evaluations.
Control Technology
Workers in automotive refinishing shops are exposed to many hazardous chemicals, including VOCs, fillers, solvents, silica from sandblasting dust, and metal fumes. The CDC recommends using high-volume/low-pressure sanders to control dust from sanding. These sanders have been proven to reduce total dust concentrations during sanding.
Paint booth ventilation is an important factor in keeping exposure to a minimum for workers. The CDC suggests using downdraft booths instead of cross draft or semi-downdraft models. The downdraft models produce lower concentrations of paint overspray and cleaner paint jobs. The CDC recommends using HVLP spray guns to reduce exposure to solvents.
VOC Rule
The national VOC rule, promulgated in 1998, applies to vehicle refinish coatings manufactured or imported for sale in the United States. Paint manufacturers must comply with VOC grams-per-liter limits for each refinish product. Since refinishes are regulated
for VOC content, shops do not have to maintain records unless they are required to do so by their state.
In conclusion, laws and regulations on paint coatings and the use of these products are minimal and could be expanded. Training and proper use of equipment is essential for the automotive paint technician to limit harmful exposure to emissions.
