fibreglass resin.. help
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Ocean Breeze
- Posts: 798
- Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Lab Manager
- State/Location: NSW
fibreglass resin.. help
Wondering if anyone has used epoxy resin & hardener (fibreglass). Techie dept want to do a fibreglass project. They've given me the MSDS'... usual stuff... and the DET appendix D has alittle info on epoxy resin. Cant find the hardener in the Appx D though. I am trying to do a risk assessment on whether to let the class go ahead with it. I've taken into account all the heirarchy of risk controls. Anyone know of any reason that I cant go ahead with 10 L in a schiool setting?
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worktofish
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 18 May 2006, 10:00
- State/Location: TAS
hi,rainbow-sky
Hazards & Precautions
Most fibreglass materials are perfectly safe to use, providing the potential hazards are recognised and reasonable precautions adopted. Normally you will have no problems if you follow these simple rules:
1. Do not let any materials come into contact with the skin, eyes or mouth.
2. Do not inhale mists or vapours-always work in a well ventilated area.
3. Do not smoke or use naked flames in the working area.
Skin and Eye Contact:
Many materials used in fibreglass work are corrosive, or have some undesirable affect on the skin. The simple answer is not to allow any materials to come in contact with the skin at all. Plastic gloves and barrier creams should be worn at all times. Catalyst (hardener) used for polyester resins is an organic peroxide (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) and is particularly dangerous. Use the correct dispenser for measuring, and be especially careful when handling this substance. Take great care not to get it in the eyes or mouth. If catalyst is splashed in the eye, irrigate under running water for at least 15 minutes, whilst summoning medical aid. Acetone and brush cleaner are powerful grease solvents. If these come into contact with the skin, they can destroy the natural oils and may lead to an unpleasant form of dermatitis. For this reason, brush cleaner should not be used for removing resin from the skin. Resin should be removed with industrial resin hand cleaner such as Kleen All paste then wash in soapy water. If polyurethane foam mixes get on the skin, wash off IMMEDIATELY. Once hardened it is difficult to remove. The remeltable flexible moulding compounds also need particular care in handling. Their melting point is very high and, should the molten material come into contact with the skin, severe burns can result. None of these materials should ever be swallowed, nor should they be stored in lemonade bottles or other drinking containers.
Ventilation:
Many fibreglass products give off fumes which can be harmful if inhaled in sufficiently large quantities. In normal DIY use, reasonable ventilation of the work area will be adequate. Care should be taken particularly when using polyurethane foam mixes. These produce iso-cyanate fumes during the initial reaction. If overcome by these fumes, the user should be removed to hospital. With most materials, over-exposure to fumes will result in nasal irritation and watering eyes, eventually followed by drowsiness and possible unconsciousness. The simply remedy is to remove the patient to fresh air. If he does not revive at once, summon medical aid. When machining finished items in cast resin or laminated fibreglass, the tiny particles of fibreglass or resin can be dangerous to the eyes and lungs. When filing, sawing or drilling, always wear goggles and a respirator/face mask.
Fire:
Many resins and associated products are either inflammable, or contain inflammable additives. Styrene (used as a thinner in resins), catalyst and acetone (brush cleaner) are particularly dangerous. Do not smoke or use naked lights, oil burners or similar heating devices in the working area. If a fire does start, do not attempt to put it out with water. Dry powder extinguishers can be used on accelerator, polyurethane foam, mould cleaner, acetone, resins and release agents. The only exception is catalyst, this must be extinguished with water. Fires can be started if catalized, but uncured, resins are thrown away. The wasted resin will continue to cure and the heat generated by the curing process can ignite other waste materials. Leave unwanted resin in a safe place until it has cured. It can then be discarded without risk.
Spillages:
Generally speaking, small spillages of resins, etc. can be absorbed in sand or earth and thrown in the dustbin. Catalyst is an exception, this should not be mopped up but diluted with large quantities of water. By far the safest procedure to is to take every possible precaution against accidental spillage’s happening in the first place.
Hazards & Precautions
Most fibreglass materials are perfectly safe to use, providing the potential hazards are recognised and reasonable precautions adopted. Normally you will have no problems if you follow these simple rules:
1. Do not let any materials come into contact with the skin, eyes or mouth.
2. Do not inhale mists or vapours-always work in a well ventilated area.
3. Do not smoke or use naked flames in the working area.
Skin and Eye Contact:
Many materials used in fibreglass work are corrosive, or have some undesirable affect on the skin. The simple answer is not to allow any materials to come in contact with the skin at all. Plastic gloves and barrier creams should be worn at all times. Catalyst (hardener) used for polyester resins is an organic peroxide (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) and is particularly dangerous. Use the correct dispenser for measuring, and be especially careful when handling this substance. Take great care not to get it in the eyes or mouth. If catalyst is splashed in the eye, irrigate under running water for at least 15 minutes, whilst summoning medical aid. Acetone and brush cleaner are powerful grease solvents. If these come into contact with the skin, they can destroy the natural oils and may lead to an unpleasant form of dermatitis. For this reason, brush cleaner should not be used for removing resin from the skin. Resin should be removed with industrial resin hand cleaner such as Kleen All paste then wash in soapy water. If polyurethane foam mixes get on the skin, wash off IMMEDIATELY. Once hardened it is difficult to remove. The remeltable flexible moulding compounds also need particular care in handling. Their melting point is very high and, should the molten material come into contact with the skin, severe burns can result. None of these materials should ever be swallowed, nor should they be stored in lemonade bottles or other drinking containers.
Ventilation:
Many fibreglass products give off fumes which can be harmful if inhaled in sufficiently large quantities. In normal DIY use, reasonable ventilation of the work area will be adequate. Care should be taken particularly when using polyurethane foam mixes. These produce iso-cyanate fumes during the initial reaction. If overcome by these fumes, the user should be removed to hospital. With most materials, over-exposure to fumes will result in nasal irritation and watering eyes, eventually followed by drowsiness and possible unconsciousness. The simply remedy is to remove the patient to fresh air. If he does not revive at once, summon medical aid. When machining finished items in cast resin or laminated fibreglass, the tiny particles of fibreglass or resin can be dangerous to the eyes and lungs. When filing, sawing or drilling, always wear goggles and a respirator/face mask.
Fire:
Many resins and associated products are either inflammable, or contain inflammable additives. Styrene (used as a thinner in resins), catalyst and acetone (brush cleaner) are particularly dangerous. Do not smoke or use naked lights, oil burners or similar heating devices in the working area. If a fire does start, do not attempt to put it out with water. Dry powder extinguishers can be used on accelerator, polyurethane foam, mould cleaner, acetone, resins and release agents. The only exception is catalyst, this must be extinguished with water. Fires can be started if catalized, but uncured, resins are thrown away. The wasted resin will continue to cure and the heat generated by the curing process can ignite other waste materials. Leave unwanted resin in a safe place until it has cured. It can then be discarded without risk.
Spillages:
Generally speaking, small spillages of resins, etc. can be absorbed in sand or earth and thrown in the dustbin. Catalyst is an exception, this should not be mopped up but diluted with large quantities of water. By far the safest procedure to is to take every possible precaution against accidental spillage’s happening in the first place.
Cheers Jazz
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Ocean Breeze
- Posts: 798
- Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Lab Manager
- State/Location: NSW
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