All necessary precautions should be taken to protect personnel and property from accidents due to falls, fumes, fire, explosion, or other dangers. Recommendations made herein are not all-inclusive and do not supplant or replace other measures covering unusual conditions. They are not intended to conflict with or supersede any federal, state, or local statute or regulation or the controls listed in Section 2.
This guide defines methods and practices which are most practical in maintaining safety during application of protective coatings on steel structures. Complete coverage of all aspects is not presented. The objective of this guide is to itemize basic actions and care that should be considered while working in or on access facilities, using professional tools to apply materials having potential hazards.
All personnel involved in the application of protective coatings should be aware constantly of the several hazards with regard to access facilities, specialized tools, and toxic or flammable materials. Many workers have some knowledge of one or two of these categories, but each should be advised of all precautions necessary and trained to prevent or eliminate dangerous conditions in all three areas.
Areas not included herein which appear in other SSPC documents:
• safety in surface preparation;
• pretreatment methods;
• removal of existent coatings;
• specialized areas of coil and appliance ceramics, container high bake coatings, and powder coatings;
and
• paint manufacturing plants.
Federal laws should govern all works. Most of these are defined in the rulings of OSHA.
State safety requirements should exert control in relevant areas whenever federal law does not cover projects.
Municipal or township ordinances should be followed whenever specific rulings impose restrictions beyond the federal and state controls.
Safety practice and rulings may come from area labor groups. Such should control actions for improved personnel relations.
Some contract specifications may contain requiremeets for safe methods of practice for specific areas.
Rules of safety by individual contractors should be adhered to since such are based on previous experiences.
All safety instructions received from the paint manufacturer should be followed.
Safe storage regulations should control all work regardless of source: civil law, contractor rule, labor rule, designer specifications.
