FOX Corporation requires that all use of paint booths conform to the requirements in this Procedure.
1.0 SCOPE
FOX Corporation (FOX) requires that all use of paint booths meet good industrial hygiene standards of practice for ventilation control systems. Paint
booths operated by FOX will be evaluated upon installation, and periodically thereafter, to ensure that they are well maintained and function effectively
to control potential worker exposures.
2.0 Definitions
Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL):
the highest allowable airborne concentration of a chemical to which a worker can be exposed as averaged over a specified time limit.
Static Pressure:
the non-velocity pressure component exerted by any fluid against its surrounding medium, as compared with the ambient atmospheric pressure. In ventilation
survey activities, the static pressure may be evaluated at any point on the duct upstream of the air movement device (fan, compressor, etc.), and hence,
will be negative. In ventilation work, the static pressure is typically measured in inches of water.
3.0 Responsibilities
In addition to required Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Program responsibilities discussed in EHS001, EHS Policy, the responsibilities described
below are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure.
3.1 Department Heads
Affected Department Heads will:
- Notify the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department regarding installation of a new paint booth, or the modification or servicing of an
existing paint booth - Coordinate with the EHS Department to schedule and perform the evaluations required in Section 4.1
- Ensure that their personnel observe the requirements in Section 4.2 during their use of paint booths.
3.2 Employees
All FOX employees will observe the requirements specified in this Procedure for the use of paint booths.
Any uses contrary to the requirements of this Procedure are forbidden.
3.3 Environmental, Health and Safety Department
The EHS Department will:
- Develop appropriate standards for the use of paint booths in “back lot” activities
- Perform required paint booth performance evaluations as specified in Section 4.1
- Review and update this Procedure annually, or as necessary, to comply with regulatory changes.
4.0 Procedure
Use of paint booths in these applications provides for engineering control of employee exposures to paint overspray, paint solvents, and other volatile
emissions associated with coating and drying operations. In order to assure the effective operation of paint booths the following requirements must be
observed.
4.1 Paint Booth Evaluation
Paint booths operate by the controlled movement of air through the paint booth toward a collector device located at one end.
- To function effectively, paint booths must maintain a consistent airflow, and must be configured so that airflow is minimally turbulent.
2. Each paint booth must be evaluated to ensure that it meets these criteria.
4.1.1 Evaluation of Ventilation System Performance
4.1.1.1 Baseline Survey Evaluation
When a new paint booth is installed, or when a unit is refurbished or overhauled, a baseline survey must be performed to establish whether or not the paint
booth ventilation system is operating properly.
- Results of the baseline survey must be recorded and filed for comparison with later surveys.
- If the booth cannot be certified for use by the EHS Department, the Department owning the paint booth must initiate a repair action to upgrade the
airflow.
3. A new survey must then be accomplished by the EHS Department to verify that operation is adequate.
4.1.1.2 Semi-Annual Function Check
For any paint booth whose operation controls worker exposures to acceptable levels, the EHS Department must perform a function check at least once every
six (6) months.
- The static pressure of each paint booth must be measured at the same location as during the Baseline Survey.
- The value must be compared against the Baseline Functional Static Pressure, and if it varies by more than plus or minus (±) ten (10) percent (%), the
paint booth must be evaluated for malfunction.
3. After any repairs have been performed, a new Baseline Survey will be required to establish the new Baseline Functional Static Pressure.
4.1.2 Evaluation of Paint Booth Exposure Control
Performance
The EHS Department will evaluate all paint booths to assess employee exposures to paint overspray and volatile solvent components of coatings.
Employee exposure will be monitored in the following cases:
1. At the start-up of a new paint booth
2. If an employee complains of symptoms that might be attributable to paint component exposure
3. If production, process, or control changes result in a potential increase in the airborne paint overspray or volatile solvent components.
4. Exposure monitoring must be conducted following procedures specified in EHS 201, Employee Exposure and Air Monitoring.
5. Paint booths must control exposures to less than one-half (1/2) of any occupational exposure limit (OEL).
When this level of control is not achieved, additional control measures may be evaluated or the use of respiratory protection must be authorized. The use
of respiratory protection will be considered an interim control measure only, until the paint booth can be upgraded to provide for acceptable exposure
control.
4.2 Paint Booth Operations
When using a paint booth, the following requirements will be observed:
- Personnel working in paint booths must be instructed in the safe use and maintenance of equipment.
- A paint booth’s ventilation system must be operational whenever spray application or drying operations are underway.
- Immediately report any malfunction or reduced function in a paint booth.
- Filters on the intakes of the ventilation system must be changed often enough to prevent substantial degradation in performance. Filters must never be
permitted to become blocked by paint or other coatings. - All spray application or drying activities must occur within the paint booth. Work may not protrude from the “back” of the booth.
- The cumulative cross sectional area of all objects with a paint booth must not exceed sixty-six (66) percent (%) of the total paint booth
cross-sectional area. - When spray-applied paints or other coatings are used, workers must work upwind or crosswind from the operation. Never spray-apply a coating while
standing downwind of the surface being sprayed. - PPE worn during painting work will include: coveralls, gloves, and safety glasses or a face shield.
- If the use of respiratory protection is specified by the EHS Department, its use must comply with the requirements of EHS 302, Respiratory Protection.
- All food, beverages, tobacco products, non-food chewing products, and un-applied cosmetics are prohibited in paint booth work areas.
- Other personal hygiene requirements per EHS 103, Housekeeping, Hygiene and Sanitation, will also apply.
5.0 REFERENCES
EHS 001, EHS Policy
EHS 103, Housekeeping, Hygiene and Sanitation
EHS 201, Employee Exposure and Air Monitoring
EHS 302, Respiratory Protection
6.0 ATTACHMENTS
None.