bringing better blasting to industry
Safety Tips for Painters & Powder Coaters
General tips for working clean, safe, and virus-free
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Wear the right respirator. Many are available - we'll focus on air fed respirators.
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Sharing respirators and clothing is like sharing underwear – so, issue one per worker – so everyone breathes clean air while working, and does not inhale others’ germs.
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Clean and sanitize protective equipment often, and respirators before putting away (Instructions are in the operating manuals).
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Always handle workpieces with clean gloves.
Consider using an air-fed respirator -
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Air-fed painting and powder coating respirators are more comfortable, lower maintenance, cooler, and better for workers. Without needing a constant supply of filters (like common painting masks), they are cheaper to use, too. With the CC20, no fit test is required. And, they can be air conditioned or heated for additional worker comfort and productivity.
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Bullard's CC20, in particular, offers a wide field of view, a very comfortable suspension system, and many customizable, optional features - even a built-in hardhat for additional worker safety.
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By using the CC20 along with a Bullard blasting respirator, your inventory needs become greatly simplified.
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Did you know? Bullard invented the hard hat!
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Bullard offers a wide range of respirators for a wide range of applications, including PAPR, HEPA, etc.
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Contact us for pricing on your preference of painting respirator.
EDP10 Free-Air Pump with 20TIC
Full-Face Hood (CC20SYS)
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Assigned protection factor (APF) 100X greater than an N95 mask
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Improves breathing and overall comfort compared to an APR
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No fit test
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Sources air from clean environment
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Pump Filters
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Includes Hood, Breathing Tube, Flow Control, 100’ Airline and Free-Air Pump
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Contact us for pricing
Spectrum Mask
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A simple, comfortable, low-profile mask offering high visibility and protection.
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It's versatile, compatible as a PAPR or air-fed.
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Contact us for pricing
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Belt-worn cooling (or heating) device.
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For the loose-fitting paint hood
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Best performance when set up with compressed air source.
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Different versions of COOLING VESTS also available to reduce heat fatigue - inquire.
Paint with an air conditioned hood or lightweight cooling vest!
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Air-fed painting and powder coating respirators can be cooled or heated by up to 30-degrees Fahrenheit! It's a simple add-on with no moving parts.
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The blue cooling vest shown here is engineered to maintain a constant 55° F
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Contact us for pricing and info.
Check for CO gas. And, breathe Grade D air.
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Carbon Monoxide (CO) can be produced by air compressors or sucked into the breathing air if an engine exhaust is near the fresh air source. CO is odorless, tasteless, and deadly. All respirators fed by compressed air need a CO Monitor. And, they need to be calibrated regularly, typically every month - keep a log in case OSHA comes calling. The NEW AirGuard (pictured) offers exciting new features and data logging per OSHA requirements.
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Ambient Air Pumps (Like Bullard's FreeAir pump) do not require a CO Monitor be used. So, they can be simpler.
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Your supply air for respirators must meet Grade D standards for breathing.
Maintaining your respirators
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REMEMBER, THE AIR YOU BREATHE WILL NOT BE CLEAN UNLESS THE RESPIRATOR YOU WEAR IS CLEAN.
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Refer to the specific operating manual, but here is general advise:
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Change filters regularly. if you're using a "personal airline filter" (like the yellow one shown to the right), replace the filter element when you detect odors or tastes while wearing the air fed hood - or annually. For a Bullard Free Air Pump, change filters at the 200 and 500 hour intervals as noted in the manual.
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Respirators are certified as a system. So, when you replace a part, it must be replaced with the same brand's exact same recommended spare - no substitutions and NO "pirate parts." Not doing so invites an OSHA fine.
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If the fittings used on your air fed respirator are Schraeder style, do not use those same type quick-connectors elsewhere in your shop! People have died from hooking their fresh-air helmet into non-breathable gasses; it may be hard to fathom but it does happen - tragically!
Use quick disconnect fittings that are unique to breathing air, for your shop!
Change breathing air filters as required -
in the Personal Airline Filter (yellow - above) or the Free Air Pump (green - right).
Carbon Monoxide monitoring is the law for compressed air breathing systems. Dawson-Macdonald also offers Carbon Monoxide Monitoring and REMOVAL systems.
Do you have additional coating or blasting safety tips to share?
Wish to inquire about details of items of interest on this page? Click: Contact us. Thanks!
Caution: The features and steps outlined on this page are individual actions you may opt to take to make your workplace safer, as a part of a more comprehensive overall approach in infection prevention and general worker health & safety. None have been tested specifically with coronavirus in mind. They are simply intended to inform you of available solutions, and NOT as a guarantee of safety. Check with your EHS department, local regulators, OSHA, the CDC, and WHO.