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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 carpets, rugs, furniture, 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 which 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.
9) Clean up all removed paint and dust by wet mopping the floors. Use a wet cloth to clean all walls, sills and any other surface
where paint or dust is clinging. DO NOT SWEEP, DRY DUST OR VACUUM. Use a high phosphate detergent or trisodium
phosphate (TSP) to wash and mop areas.
10) At the end of each work session put the paint chips and debris in a double plastic bag, close it with tape or twist ties and
dispose of properly.
11) Remove protective clothing and work shoes in the work area to avoid carrying dust into the rest of the dwelling. Wash work
clothes separately. Wipe shoes off with a wet rag that is then washed with the work clothes. Wash hair and body thoroughly
with soap and water.
Do not strip metal window frames, as the heat may be conducted onto the glass and crack it. When stripping other window
frames, use the glass protection nozzle.
Do not keep the tool directed at one spot too long to prevent igniting the surface.
Avoid collecting paint on the scraper accessory, as it may ignite. If necessary, carefully remove paint debris from the
scraper accessory using a knife.
Do not use this tool to remove paint containing lead. The peelings, residue and vapors of paint may contain lead, which is
poisonous. Any pre-1960 building may have been painted in the past with paint containing lead and covered with additional
layers of paint.
