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Paint Stripping Safety Instructions
Extreme care should be
taken when stripping
paint.
The peelings, residue and vapors of
paint may contain lead, which is poisonous.
Any pre-1977 paint may contain lead and
paint applied to homes prior to 1950 is likely
to contain lead. Once deposited on surfaces,
hand to mouth contact can result in the
ingestion of lead. Exposure to even low
levels of lead can cause irreversible brain
and nervous system damage; young and
unborn children are particularly vulnerable.
Before beginning any paint removal process
you should determine whether the paint you
are removing contains lead. This can be
done by your local health department or by a
professional who uses a paint analyzer to
check the lead content of the paint to be
removed. LEAD-BASED PAINT SHOULD
ONLY BE REMOVED BY A PROFESSIONAL
AND MUST NOT BE REMOVED USING A
HEAT GUN.
Persons removing paint should follow
these guidelines:
1) Move the work piece outdoors.
If this is
not possible, keep the work area well
ventilated. Open the windows and put an
exhaust fan in one of them. Be sure the fan
is moving the air from inside to outside.
2) Remove or cover any household items
in the area such as carpets, rugs,
furniture, and clothing, cooking utensils
and air ducts.
3) Place drop cloths in the work area to
catch any paint chips or peelings.
Wear
protective clothing such as extra work shirts,
overalls and hats.
4) Work in one room at a time.
Furnishings
should be removed or placed in the center of
the room and covered. Work areas should
be sealed off from the rest of the dwelling by
sealing doorways with drop cloths.
5) Children, pregnant or potentially
pregnant women and nursing mothers
should not be present in the work area
until the work is done and all clean up is
complete.
6) Wear a dust respirator mask or a dual
filter (dust and fume) respirator mask,
which has been approved by the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), the National
Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH), or
the United States Bureau of Mines.
These
masks and replaceable filters are readily
available at major hardware stores. Be sure
the mask fits. Beards and facial hair may
keep masks from sealing properly. Change
filters often. DISPOSABLE PAPER MASKS
ARE NOT ADEQUATE.
7) Use caution when operating the heat
gun.
Keep the heat gun moving, as
excessive heat will generate fumes that can
be inhaled by the operator.
8) Keep food and drink out of the work
area.
Wash hands, arms and face and rinse
mouth before eating or drinking. Do not
smoke or chew gum or tobacco in the work
area.
!
WARNING
Important Safety Instructions for Heat Guns
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Read and understand all instructions
. Failure to follow all instructions
listed below, may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
!
WARNING
Hidden areas such as behind walls, ceilings, floors, soffit boards and other panels may
contain flammable materials (dust, cob webs, mice nests, etc.) that could be ignited by
the heat gun when working in these locations.
The ignition of these materials may not be
readily apparent and could result in property damage and injury to persons.
When working in locations that may have hidden areas, keep the heat gun moving in a
back-and-forth motion.
Lingering or pausing in one spot could ignite the panel or the
material behind it.
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