Job Hazard Analysis: Airless spray painting

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

1. 1. Prepare the work area: cover floors, mask windows and fixtures, set up ventilation, and post signs.

   • Slips and trips on plastic sheeting, drop cloths, and masking paperMedium
     • Use canvas or slip-resistant drop cloths on walkways instead of loose plastic.
     • Tape down all edges and seams of floor covers.
     • Keep one clear walkway to the exit.
     • Wear slip-resistant work boots.
   • Falls from a stepladder while masking high windows and ceilingsMedium
     • Use a pole or extension tool for masking when possible.
     • Inspect the ladder before use; fully open and lock the spreaders.
     • Do not stand on the top cap or top step; keep 3 points of contact.
   • Other trades and the public walking into the spray zoneLow
     • Close off the area with tape or barricades and post "Spray Painting – Keep Out" signs.
     • Tell the GC and other trades when and where you will spray.

2. 2. Set up and inspect the airless sprayer, hose, and gun.

   • Skin injection injury from a damaged hose, loose fitting, or missing tip guardHigh
     • Inspect the hose for cuts, bulges, kinks, and worn fittings before each use; tag out and replace any damaged hose. Never tape or patch it.
     • Make sure the tip guard and trigger lock are installed and working.
     • Tighten all fittings with the sprayer unplugged and pressure relieved.
     • Only workers trained on this sprayer may operate it.
   • Electric shock from damaged cords or wet conditionsMedium
     • Plug into a GFCI-protected outlet or use a portable GFCI.
     • Use a 3-wire, grounded, heavy-duty extension cord with no cuts or missing ground pin.
     • Keep cords out of puddles and paint spills.
   • Tripping over the spray hose and extension cordMedium
     • Route the hose and cord along walls, away from doorways and stairs.
     • Coil extra hose near the pump.

3. 3. Mix and load paint, primer, or solvent into the sprayer.

   • Breathing solvent vapors and skin contact with paint chemicalsMedium
     • Use water-based paint instead of oil-based or solvent-based products when the job allows.
     • Read the SDS and label before opening any product; follow the listed PPE.
     • Mix in a ventilated spot or outdoors; keep lids on cans when not pouring.
     • Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses while mixing and pouring.
   • Fire from flammable thinners and oil-based paintHigh
     • Keep only one day's supply of flammable liquids in the work area, in approved safety cans or original closed containers.
     • No smoking, open flames, heaters, or sparks within 50 ft; post "No Smoking" signs.
     • Keep a charged 10-lb ABC fire extinguisher within 25 ft.

4. 4. Spray walls, ceilings, and trim from the floor or a ladder.

   • Injection injury from pointing or touching the gun tip while sprayingHigh
     • Never point the gun at any person or body part; never put your hand or fingers in front of the tip.
     • Use the lowest pressure that gives a good spray pattern.
     • Engage the trigger lock every time you stop spraying, even for a moment.
     • Keep other workers out of the spray zone.
   • Breathing paint mist and vaporsHigh
     • Ventilate with exhaust fans pulling air out of the room through a window or door.
     • Rotate sprayers and take fresh-air breaks in long jobs in small rooms.
     • Wear a fit-tested half-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges and P95 prefilters; change cartridges per the schedule or if you smell paint.
   • Paint mist in the eyesMedium
     • Spray with your body positioned out of the overspray path.
     • Wear sealed goggles or safety glasses with side shields; goggles when spraying ceilings.
   • Falls from a ladder while spraying and pulling the hoseMedium
     • Use a gun extension pole to spray high areas from the floor when possible.
     • Do not let the hose pull you off balance; have a helper feed the hose.
     • Keep your belt buckle between the side rails; move the ladder instead of reaching.
     • Extension ladders: set at a 4-to-1 angle and extend 3 ft above the landing.

5. 5. Clear tip clogs, change tips, and stop for breaks.

   • Injection injury from trapped pressure when removing the tip or clearing a clogHigh
     • Follow the pressure relief procedure every time: trigger lock on, pump off, unplug, open the prime/drain valve, trigger the gun into a pail.
     • Use the reversible tip to clear clogs; never wipe or clear the tip with your finger or hand.
     • If a clog won't clear, relieve pressure, then loosen the tip guard slowly.

6. 6. Flush and clean the pump, hose, and gun.

   • Static spark igniting solvent vapors during flushingHigh
     • Use water to flush latex; use the least flammable solvent the manufacturer allows for oil-based paint.
     • Flush outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, away from ignition sources.
     • Use a grounded metal pail; hold the gun firmly against the pail and spray at the lowest pressure.
   • Solvent splash on skin and eyesMedium
     • Pour solvent slowly and keep the container closed when not in use.
     • Wear nitrile gloves and goggles during cleanup.

7. 7. Remove masking, clean up, and store materials and waste.

   • Spontaneous combustion of rags soaked with oil-based paint or solventHigh
     • Put oily rags in a closed metal can with a lid, or lay flat to dry outdoors; never pile them up.
     • Remove waste from the building at the end of each shift.
   • Fire or spills from stored paint and solventMedium
     • Close all containers and store flammables away from exits, heaters, and electrical panels.
     • Clean up spills right away with absorbent.
   • Strains from carrying 5-gallon buckets and the sprayerLow
     • Use the sprayer's cart wheels and a dolly for buckets.
     • Get help for heavy lifts; lift with your legs, not your back.