As a professional, it’s your responsibility to implement safety measures that minimise exposure and ensure a safe working environment, says Rachael Morgan.
WHEN working with spray adhesives that contain dichloromethane (DCM), especially in domestic environments or spaces where others might be present, it’s essential to take additional precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
DCM is a potent chemical with serious health risks, and many people—especially customers who aren’t familiar with its dangers—may not be aware of the potential hazards it presents.
As a professional, it’s your responsibility to implement safety measures that minimise exposure and ensure a safe working environment. This blog will delve deeper into the key practices you can adopt to protect yourself and your customers from the risks associated with DCM.
- Segregate and ventilate
One of the most effective ways to minimise the risk of DCM exposure is through the segregation and ventilation of your workspace. When applying spray adhesives in a customer’s home or any enclosed space, it is crucial to isolate the area where you are working from the rest of the living space. This can be achieved by closing doors, sealing off doorways with plastic sheeting, or using other barriers to prevent fumes from escaping into other parts of the home.
Proper ventilation is equally important. DCM vapours are heavier than air, so they tend to accumulate at lower levels, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. To mitigate this, ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated by opening windows and doors, using fans to circulate air, or employing a mechanical ventilation system.
The goal is to create a flow of air that dilutes and removes the harmful vapours from the room, reducing the concentration of DCM and thereby lowering the risk of inhalation.
For example, if you are working in a room with windows, keep them open throughout the application process and for a considerable time afterward. You might also consider using portable exhaust fans or air purifiers equipped with carbon filters, which are effective in capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like DCM. This not only protects you while you work but also ensures that the air quality is safe for anyone re-entering the space later. - Limit access
Another critical aspect of protecting your customers is controlling who has access to the workspace during and immediately after the application of DCM-containing spray adhesives. The fumes from these adhesives can pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and pets. These individuals are more susceptible to the effects of chemical exposure owing to factors like age, health conditions, and closer proximity to the ground, where DCM vapours tend to settle.
To safeguard these vulnerable groups, restrict access to the workspace. Only those who are fully aware of the risks and equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, gloves, and protective eyewear, should be allowed in the area. Clearly communicate to your customers that they should avoid entering the workspace during the application process and for a designated period afterward to ensure their safety.
In addition, it’s a good practice to place warning signs or barriers around the workspace to remind others that entry is restricted and potentially hazardous. If the workspace is located in a high-traffic area of the home, consider scheduling the work during a time when household members are less likely to need access to that area, or when they can be temporarily relocated to another part of the home. - Post-work ventilation
After completing your work with DCM-containing spray adhesives, it is essential to continue ventilating the space to clear out any lingering fumes. DCM vapours can persist in the air long after the initial application, posing an ongoing risk to anyone entering the area.
Ventilating the room for at least 15-30 minutes after you have finished the job helps to ensure that the air quality is safe for re-entry.
If possible, use an extraction system, such as a fume hood or an exhaust fan, to actively remove residual vapours from the room. These systems are particularly effective in enclosed spaces like basements or rooms without windows, where natural ventilation may be insufficient. In scenarios where mechanical ventilation is not available, portable air purifiers can help to remove airborne contaminants more quickly. - Avoid contamination
To minimise the risk of contamination, it’s important to avoid eating, drinking, or engaging in other activities that might lead to accidental ingestion or skin contact with DCM in the workspace. This rule should be strictly enforced not only for yourself but also for your customers. DCM can easily contaminate surfaces, utensils, and food if proper precautions are not taken, leading to unintentional exposure.
If you’re working in a kitchen or another area where food is prepared, it’s crucial to clean all surfaces thoroughly after the adhesive has been applied. Advise your customers to do the same, using appropriate cleaning agents that can effectively remove chemical residues. Encourage them to ventilate the area well before resuming normal activities in the room.
Additionally, remind customers to avoid touching surfaces in the workspace until it has been cleared and cleaned. DCM can be absorbed through the skin, so it is essential to wear gloves and other protective gear during the application process and cleanup.
In conclusion protecting yourself and your customers from DCM exposure in spray adhesives is a multifaceted responsibility that requires careful planning and execution. By implementing the strategies outlined above—segregating and ventilating the workspace, limiting access, ensuring post-work ventilation, protecting vulnerable groups, and avoiding contamination—you can significantly reduce the risks associated with DCM.
While these measures may require extra time and effort, they are essential for maintaining a safe working environment. As a professional, your commitment to safety not only protects your health but also builds trust with your customers, who rely on you to provide not just a service, but a safe one.
Ultimately, the goal is to minimise exposure to hazardous chemicals like DCM, ensuring that your work leaves behind a beautifully installed floorcovering without compromising the wellbeing of anyone involved.
www.gekko-adhesives.com
Rachael Morgan is sales manager at Quin Global
