Bathtub Refinishing Can Be Deadly

WRITTEN BY GARY SMITH, APARTMENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORKERS COMPENSATION SELF INSURED FUND

nce 2000, there have been 13 fatalities nationwide from workers engaged in refinishing bathtubs. Three have died in Michigan since 2006 including one in 2010 at an apartment complex. These fatalities were due to exposure to methylene chloride-based stripping products. If your Maintenance staff performs these activities or contracts them out, be sure you have implemented the necessary safety practices outlined below to minimize the likelihood of these tragic accidents from happening on your properties.

Methylene Chloride (MC) is used in many commercial strippers and can be very dangerous when used in confined areas such as a bathroom because it evaporates so quickly. MC vapors are heavier than air which means they settle to the ground and often pool in the bathtub. When the worker bends over the side of the tub, they breathe in super high concentrations of MC vapor. If the worker is not wearing appropriate gloves or protective clothing, MC can be absorbed directly through the skin which presents yet another potential exposure to workers

In addition to being a carcinogen, MC has a direct toxic effect on the body. MC is changed once in the body to formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Methylene chloride is a central nervous system depressant at high concentrations. The high level of MC vapor concentration in a tub produces an oxygen deficient atmosphere in the tub, causing a worker to lose consciousness and suffocate.Additionally, MC can change the rate or rhythm of a heart beat (arrhythmia). An individual who has pre-existing heart disease may be especially susceptible to the MC exposure.

To Protect Workers

• MIOSHA Occupational Health Standard, Part 313, Methylene Chloride requires that air monitoring, medical surveillance, hazard communication, PPE and written emergency plans be in place where methylene chloride is used.

• Do not use MC-based strippers. Whether your employees or a contractor do not allow MC-based strippers to be used due to their dangerous properties. But recognize that all stripping products have their own set of hazards, so read and follow the label and MSDS requirements.

• Establish fresh makeup air and local exhaust ventilation. Fresh air: place a fan in a window or doorway. Local exhaust: Attach ductwork to the suction side of another fan and place the other end of the ductwork in the bathtub. Place discharge side of fan in doorway or window so it will pull the MC vapors out of the tub to the outside of the building. Bathroom ceiling fans alone are not sufficient in removing MC vapors due to the vapors settling to the ground and lack of air flow these ceiling fans move.

Respirator. Wear a tight fighting pressure-demand full face air supplied respirator when applying and removing the MC-based stripper.  Dust masks and cartridge respirators do not provide the required protection.

• Leave the room after the MC stripper application. Keep fresh air and local exhaust fans running and windows and doors open.

• Use butyl rubber or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gloves. Latex or nitrile gloves do not protect workers from MC contact.

• Implement safe work practices such as using extended handles on tools to prevent workers from leaning into the tub.

Contractors. As part of your bathtub refinishing bidding process, require contractors to provide you with copies of their written safety program including process for refinishing tubs. If they do not follow the above mentioned items at a minimum they should not be allowed to bid.

By establishing some safety processes for your employees or contractors who perform this work on your property, you can prevent these accidents from happening, and minimize methylene chloride vapor exposure to your tenants. Anytime employees are working with chemicals whether painting, fertilizing or taking care of the pool they must understand the hazards involved and take the required actions to protect themselves. All too often we have become complacent with chemicals thinking they are too diluted to present a serious hazard. As these accidents show, this is simply not true. For additional information on bathtub refinishing hazards please visit the MIFACE Investigation Report and Hazard Alert Bulletin at the following links: http://www.oem.msu.edu/MiFace/10MI013Report.pdf and http://www.oem.msu.edu/userfiles/BathtubRefinishingHA14.pdf.

Information for this article was taken from materials provided by the Michigan Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation (MIFACE) Program at Michigan State University.

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