Guitar Repair Safety Guidelines
At one time or another we have all attended "shop class" at school, full of enthusiasm, with visions of complex woodworking projects. Much to our disappointment, the first couple of days are filled with dry rules pertaining to establishing good working habits and safety awareness. Long before touching a piece of wood, priority one was to learn to use a broom and keep your area clean. As adults, we have come to realize the importance of these basic principles. This article will focus on a topic which you as a member should be concerned with and given the proper information, should increase your longevity! Proper chemical handling is essential to your well-being. Wait a minute, you say this does not apply to you, so why read any further? Well, if you are presently using paint thinners, mineral spirits, naphtha, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, bleaching agents such as oxalic acid and so on, then you are dealing with hazardous chemicals.
Have you ever wondered about all the information provided on the label of your favorite solvent? You know it is important, but all the tech-no-mumbo-jumbo about consulting your M.S.D.S. has left you dazed and confused. Don't worry - there's help on the way, and it's as easy as making a phone call. Here's an example that will help clarify the potential dangers of the product you're using. The brand of naphtha I use is manufactured by a company in Memphis. Just one easy phone call to a company technical representative provided me with an informative document called MATERIAL SAFETY DATE SHEET (M.S.D.S.). The naphtha manufacturer mailed a copy within a couple of days and a fax for my immediate concerns.
Chemical manufacturers and suppliers are required by federal law to inform the consumer of the potential hazards of their product. Chemicals are considered hazardous when they pose a threat to your health. As such, they must have a label and a current M.S.D.S. to alert you of proper handling, along with any associated health risks. Symptoms could be as minor as headaches, dizziness and skin irritations, or as serious as chronic effects related to respiratory illness, cancer or even death. How is that for an attention grabber? Let's get down to the topic at hand - warning labels.
The label found on the container will always have the identity of the chemical; name and address of the manufacturer; physical and health ratings; storage handling instructions; protective clothing and safety equipment. These labels will illustrate the "degree of hazard" with a chart. Zero equals a minimum hazard, increasing to the rating number four, indicating a severe hazard.
In conjunction with this rating system is a color code for additional data. The key indicates the following; blue equals a health hazard; red equals a fire hazard; yellow equals a potential reactivity risk; and white is reserved for a special hazard or for protective equipment required. Labels must clearly display general precautions to avoid exposure to skin and eyes, inhalation and ingestion. Accidental ingestion should not be a question. It is a good practice not to leave open containers such as coffee mugs, soda cans, and other food in your work area. Common sense should prevail when working with any materials that generate dust, mist, fumes, or vapors. Remember, always read the warning label and M.S.D.S. before staring a project. This will definitely help avoid surprises. Familiarize yourself with the properties of the ingredients and special handling instructions. This is where the M.S.D.S. comes into the picture and explicit technical overview and composition of the chemical is needed.
The M.S.D.S. is the one place where you can find all the important information available to all industries. Always refer to the most recent, up-to-date M.S.D.S. The American National Standards Institute (A.N.S.I.) has created the latest format for the data sheet, which must include the same info as found on he label - except in a concise definition. The sheet must include the chemical product name; manufacturer identification; essay/composition/ingredients; involved health hazards; first aid measures; fire-fighting procedures; toxic spill response methods; technical handling,definitive personal protection; normal and abnormal appearance, chemical stability/reactivity; toxicological and ecological data; waste treatment; transportation; and anything deemed as pertinent. The M.S.D.S is usually presented in an extremely high tech format, which may require some additional homework. If you don't understand certain sections, call the manufacturer and request a technical representative to explain in detail and in a manner you can relate to.
It may appear that some of your suppliers do not include M.S.D.S with their products. The truth is that some products may have ingredients labeled as "Trade Secret," which is acceptable provided this material is not known to be damaging. In this case, a M.S.D.S. may not be required by federal Regulations. If a product is considered hazardous, it is your 'RIGHT TO KNOW," and you can formally request additional data. For some of our members involved with large shops or factories, this should be very familiar, due to O.S.H.A. requirements. In the U.S.A., there are various means of identification developed by consortiums such as The National fire Protection Association, (N.F.P.A.); The American National Standards Institute (A.N.S.I)' Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.) and The National Paint and Coatings Association. If you are in the habit of reading labels, these acronyms should be familiar. All of the agencies listed within should asset the general public concerning safety issues. For example, O.S.H.A., will have a local office listed in the government pages of your phone directory. When contacting any of these agencies, you should have an "CAS" number by The Chemical Abstracts Service of the American Chemical Society. So don't panic when you read a "CAS" number attached to favorite brand of solvent. To illustrate this point, common water has an "CAS" number assigned for quick identification.
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