operations can present both physical and health hazards
to those involved. The OSHA ventilation standard for general industry (29
CFR 1910.94) defines a "spray-finishing operation" as the
"employment of methods wherein organic or inorganic
materials are utilized in dispersed form for deposit on
surfaces to be coated, treated, or cleaned."
This may include such diverse activities as the application of
flammable and combustible liquids, such as paint, in a spray booth
or spray area, electrostatic coating operations, and automobile body lining operations.
Spray operations are addressed in specific
standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals,
longshoring, and the construction industry.
This section highlights OSHA
standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard
interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to spray operations.
Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and
enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are
identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards
applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.
General Industry (29
Shipyard Employment (29 CFR
Marine Terminals (29 CFR
Subpart G, Related terminal operations and equipment
- 1917.153, Spray painting (See also section 29 CFR 1917.2, definition of hazardous cargo, materials, substance, or atmosphere)
- 1917.158, Prohibited operations.
States that abrasive blasting and spray painting are
not allowed near cargo handling
Longshoring (29 CFR
Subpart I, General working conditions
Maintenance and repair work in the
vicinity of longshoring operations. States that abrasive blasting and spray painting are
not allowed near longshoring operations.
Construction Industry (29 CFR
Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
Ventilation. Contains extensive requirements for spray booths and other
Methylenedianiline. Requires respiratory
protection for spray-application
Lead. Contains requirements for spray painting with lead paint.
Criteria for design and construction of spray booths
Subpart E, Personal protective and life saving equipment
- 1926 Subpart
F, Fire protection and prevention
- 1926.152, Flammable liquids. States that the quantity of flammable or
combustible liquids kept in the vicinity
of spraying operations should be kept at
a minimum and should not exceed a supply
for one day or one shift.
Subpart I, Tools - hand and power
- 1926.302, Power-operated hand tools.
Contains requirements for high-pressure
- 1926 Subpart Z,
Toxic and hazardous substances
- 1926.1127, Cadmium.
States that respiratory
protection is necessary when using spray
methods to apply materials containing
- Application of the Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS)
Standards, 29 CFR 1910.146. CPL 02-00-100 [CPL 2.100], (1995, May 5).
Explains a paint spray enclosure is
considered a confined space if an
employee has to crawl to gain access to
29 CFR 1926.62, Lead Exposure In Construction; Interim Final Rule-- Inspection and Compliance Procedures. CPL 02-02-058 [CPL 2-2.58], (1993, December 13).
Identifies under this standard spray painting with lead-based paint requires
interim worker protection.
- Clarification of 29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i) Average Air Velocity of Spray Booths.
STD 01-05-010 [STD 1-5.10], (1978, October
30). States that the
air velocity requirements of paragraph 29
CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i) apply to maintaining the
concentration of flammable vapors below
the lower exposure limit (LEL); it does not apply to controlling
exposures below permissible exposure limits (PELs).
- Uniformity in Interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(iv) and 29 CFR 1910.107(f)(1).
STD 01-05-011 [STD 1-5.11], (1978, October 30). Clarifies requirements for
fire-extinguishing systems in spray
Painting and paint removal present hazards requiring effective controls. Hazards
include exposure to toxic materials and flammable or explosive mists,
particulates, and vapors. Potential physical and health hazards may be effectively
controlled by appropriate work procedures, controls, facility design, protective
clothing, and equipment.
One of the most frequent types of spray operations is spray painting, with
spray booths as a common engineering control used to protect workers. Spray
booths serve two main purposes: (1) to protect the health of the painter and (2)
to reduce fire and explosion hazards. The following references provide further examples
and information to help
control hazards during a spray operation.
Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A],
(1999, January 20).
- Isocyanates. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic.
Related Safety and Health