Hazard Analysis — Skin contact with paint-related solvents

Petroleum distillates in increasing order of boiling point are gasoline, benzine (VM&P Naphtha), mineral spirits (Stoddard solvent, odorless mineral spirits, turpentine substitutes and white spirits) and kerosene.

Petroleum distillates, which tend to be less toxic than most other solvents, are still skin irritants which can cause irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). ICD is a non-immunologic reaction that manifests inflammation.  Signs of ICD include stinging, blisters, dead skin, flaking scabs, scaling, cracks, redness, swelling, bumps and dryness.  Itching is common, and there is often pain in the affected areas.  Anyone who has contact with skin irritants can get ICD.  In most cases, ICD clears up when the skin no longer contacts the irritant.

Furthermore, normal mineral spirits has about 15-20% aromatic hydrocarbons which are known to cause destruction to bone marrow and leukemia.  Odorless mineral spirits and turpentine substitutes have these more toxic aromatic hydrocarbons removed, and are recommended as substitutes for regular mineral spirits and turpentine.

Here are some tools you can use to measure the risk for dermatitis, and find ways to reduce the risk. You might also think of other tools.

• Observations and reports of work/personal practices
• Symptoms checklist

Consider comparing your group of workers with themselves before and after beginning a program to reduce dermatitis.  Use written checklists. Watch your employees' work practices and take reports from them of what they do with a before and after comparison.  Which best practices are the employees currently doing? Which are they failing to do? Keep a written record of observations. Have employees complete a symptoms checklist of the skin problems they currently have, with no names attached.  Ask them to do a pH test of surface skin. Once you have a baseline record, then begin the effort to reduce skin problems.  Take the same measurements periodically to assess progress. The results can help you adjust the efforts.

Best Practices Checklist

___ 1. Wash with clean running water and pH-neutral soap.
___ 2. Wear correct gloves.
___ 3. Wash before putting on gloves.
___ 4. Wash again whenever gloves are removed.
___ 5. Use disposable gloves or clean reusable gloves daily.
___ 6. Remove gloves properly.
___ 7. Wear glove liners.
___ 8. No jewelry at work.
___ 9. Long sleeves buttoned or taped inside gloves.
___ 10. Rubber boots with pants taped inside for concrete work.
___ 11. Never let cement remain on skin or clothes.
___ 12. Avoid barrier creams
___ 13. Avoid skin softening products at work.
___ 14. Change out of work clothes before leaving jobsite.
___ 15. See a doctor for any persistent skin problem

Symptoms Checklist

___ 1. Check if you had at least one skin problem during the last 12 months
___ 2. Check if you currently have the skin problem.
___ 3. If you have a skin problem, check all the words that apply
    ___ redness
    ___ burning
    ___ blisters
    ___ fissures
    ___ oozing
    ___ bumps/papules
    ___ scaling or peeling or dead skin
    ___ other (describe):
    ___ stinging
    ___ pain
    ___ itching
    ___ bleeding
    ___ rash

Worksite conditions can determine whether a worksite material will cause skin problems.