Spray Booths
29 CFR 1910.107
Spray Booths
OSHA, through 1910.107, addresses finishing materials applied as a spray by compressed air, “airless” or “hydraulic atomization,” steam, electrostatic methods, or by any other means in continuous or intermittent processes. These typically are applied in a “spraying area.”
Spraying Area
A spraying area is any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapors or mists, combustible residues, dusts or deposits are present due to the operation of the spraying process.
A spray booth is a power ventilated structure provided to enclose or accommodate a spraying operation to confine and limit the escape of spray, vapor and residue, and to safely conduct or direct them to an exhaust system.
Prohibitions and Signage
The regulation requires:
- Prohibiting of smoking and posting of “No Smoking” signs.
- Use of only non-sparking tools in any area where organic peroxides are used.
- Maintaining a safe distance between goods being painted and electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors of at least twice the sparking distance. A suitable sign indicating safe distance must be conspicuously posted near the assembly.
- That spraying and powder coating equipment carry a prominent permanently installed warning regarding the need for a grounding feature on all electrically conductive objects in the spraying area or within the charging influence of the electrodes.
- That the drying apparatus must contain a prominently located, permanently attached warning sign indicating that ventilation should be maintained during the drying period and that spraying should not be conducted in the vicinity that spray will deposit on apparatus.
Operations and Maintenance
- Spraying must not be conducted outside of predetermined spraying areas.
- All spraying areas must be kept as free from that accumulation of deposits of combustible residues as practical, with cleaning conducted daily if necessary. Scrapers, spuds or other such tools used for cleaning purposes must be of non-sparking material.
- Residue scrapings and debris contaminated with residue must be immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed of. Approved metal waste cans must be provided wherever rags or waste are impregnated with finishing material. All such rags or waste must be deposited therein immediately after use. The contents of waste cans must be properly disposed of at least once daily or at the end of each shift.
- Spray finishing employees’ clothing must not be left on the premises overnight unless kept in metal lockers.
- Spray booths must not be alternately used for different types of coating materials, where the combustion of the materials may be conducive to spontaneous ignition, unless all deposits of the first used material are removed from the booth and exhaust ducts prior to spraying with second used material.
Employee Training
There are no specific training requirements for spray booths.
Training Tips
- Using the employee handout, review the regulations regarding spray booth operation and maintenance.
- Explain the need for warning signs in spray booths.
- Explain the need for all PPE provided, and how to maintain and store it.
For more information see:
- 29 CFR 1926.50—spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials.
Spray BoothsHandout
Many industry applied coatings use a spray process. Spray booths are spraying areas which use a powered ventilation system in an enclosed structure to confine and limit the escape of spray, vapor and residue.
Who is Covered?
The regulation covers all employees working in or around such spray finishing areas, and any employer with such a spray finishing function happening at their facility.
Warning Signs
The regulation requires warning signs in spray booths. You must understand these warning signs and follow their directions for your safety, and that of your co-workers. These signs include:
- “No smoking” signs and a prohibitions against smoking.
- A sign indicating that a safe distance must be maintained between goods being sprayed and the electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors.
- A sign which reminds the workers that a grounding wire is needed on all electrically conducting objects in the spraying area.
- A sign which indicates that the ventilation should be maintained during the drying period.
- A sign which indicated that spraying should not result in spray deposit on the spraying apparatus.
Operations and Maintenance
The regulation also requires certain operations and maintenance be done on spray booths. These include:
- Not spraying outside of predetermined spraying areas.
- Spraying booths must be kept clean from deposits of combustible residues.
- When scraping the walls of a spray booth, scrapings and debris containing reside must be immediately removed and properly disposed of.
- Spray finishing employees’ clothing may not be left on the premises overnight, unless kept in a metal locker.
- Know the ingredients in your spray materials.
- Establish a Respiratory Protection Program if needed.
What Must I Do?
Be familiar with the rules and warnings regarding spray booth operations. Follow the warnings, do appropriate clean-up and abide by the rules.
Spray Booths Sign–Off Sheet
The employees of ______Company Name______, have taken part in a training session Spray Booths. The session covered:
- Definition of a “spraying area.”
- The requirements for warning signs in spray booths, and why they must be heeded.
- Operations and maintenance required by OSHA.
Date of Training: / Facility:
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME
______
Supervisor’s Signature