Although painting service in San Jose might seem like a relatively risk-free endeavor, the truth is, it can cause serious bodily harm if the right precautions are not taken. The basic components of paints vary widely in terms of chemical composition, depending on the color, the durability, and other required properties of the paint. Paints are primarily composed of binder, extender, solvent, pigment, and additives. The main organic solvents used in paints are toluene, xylene, aliphatic compounds, ketones, alcohols, esters, and glycol ethers. Nowadays, solvent-based paints contain much less solvent – and less hazardous solvents – than a decade ago.
Workers in the painting industry are potentially exposed to the chemicals found in paint products during their application and removal. Exposure to dichloromethane occurs during paint stripping from wood and metal surfaces. As bystanders during construction or demolition activities, painters may also be exposed to asbestos or crystalline silica. During the application of paint, workers are exposed primarily to solvents, whereas the mechanical removal of paint mainly leads to exposure to pigments and fillers. The chemical composition of the paint material may be harmful to people when it lands on unprotected skin or eyes and can cause severe irritation. Paint fumes can also cause respiratory problems and headaches.
Another reason is that certain products used in painting, such as oil primer and paint thinner, are highly flammable. Without careful handling, painters run the risk of burns. Finally, exterior painting often requires working at heights, which places painters at risk of falling and injuring themselves.
Before you hire someone, consider his credentials. Membership in a trade or local business group, for example, is not a guarantee of quality work, but it shows a level of commitment and reliability on his part. Also, verify whether the pro has the appropriate licenses. You'll find the licensing information in your state at the Contractor’s License Reference Site. Also check with the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general’s office in your state, or a local consumer-affairs agency to learn whether the contractor has a history of unresolved complaints.
The best painting service contractors or companies ensure safety first during any residential or commercial painting project. There are several precautions to steer clear of, for which the service provider must incorporate the appropriate and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE):
• Gloves: Always wear gloves to protect your hands. Leather or cloth gloves are sufficient for sanding. Solvent-resistant gloves are required for handling paint thinner and other solvents. Impermeable gloves are best for water- and oil-based paint.
• Eyewear: Use protective eyeglasses, eye goggles, or a face shield whenever handling paint or paint thinners. It is especially important when painting above your head or spray painting, as well as when sanding.
• Paint masks: Wear a dust mask or particulate respirator when sanding. If you are extremely sensitive to chemicals, you should also wear a respiratory mask when using a brush or roller. Note that if you are painting outside in an area with lots of birds, you may need to wear a mask to protect yourself from the harmful pathogens in bird droppings. When you are spray painting, you are best advised to use a paint respirator, as this offers more protection for your airways.
• Coveralls and shoe covers: A disposable or cotton coverall and disposable shoe covers serve to protect both your clothing and any exposed skin that could become irritated by contact with paint.
• Hard hat: If you are working at heights, a hard hat is a wise safety precaution, as it can help protect your head if you fall. Additionally, if you are working on a busy construction site, it will protect your head if an object falls on you.
• Fall arrest: A fall arrest system can consist of a single carabiner or double carabiner that can be attached to a railing to prevent you from falling. It often comes with a harness that straps around the torso and legs for added safety. Scaffolding may also be used in some situations to prevent injuries from falls.
• Fire extinguisher: It is always important to keep a fire extinguisher on-site in case there are any incidents with flammable materials such as paint thinner.
As a guarantee of a job well done, ideally, the painter should promise to correct any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within two years after the job is done at no or little cost. If he tells you the paint itself has a warranty, remember that it does not include labor, which is a far more costly proposition than material.
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