industry OH&S stds for protection from LT prolonged exposure

[flutego12]

[Preamble]
Good day fluteland, and it literally is. Finally a stretch of moderate brilliant spring days in the southern hemishere.
Thought it a good time to break the hibernation and get back on board romancing the flute.
Glad to read that all is well with everybody.

[Meat]
Just wondering if hobbyist and professionals out there, tinkering with R & M means daily exposure to various vapours, dusts and chemicals. What sort of protective gear or do you take measures to protect yourself from any undesirable long term effects, especially the kind via skin contact ie fingers. There are dust masks for buffing etc, but what about when dealing with

-contact cement and toxic adhesives
-vapours when melting pellets during repadding of saxophones and clarinets
-when applying anti tarnish (strong ammonia smell)
-chemical baths
-alcohol (denatured)

Often wondered if the supermarket surgical gloves actually work, if some of the chemicals are still able to seep through.

Does Napbirt have a standard of sorts for its members?

[Gandalfe]

One thing you can do to reduce exposure to nasty chemicals is to use ultrasonic trays. That doesn't help you with all your concerns but is a good start.

[JButky]

In a word.... (or acronym)

MSDS...

[flutego12]

@Gandalfe : Righty, thanks Quinn, they do get impossibly large don't they even for the flute not to mention the clarinet and the sax!
Which size do you have?

@JButky: Hm, yes need to refer for each and every chemical?

[JButky]

@JButky: Hm, yes need to refer for each and every chemical?

Yes.. I work for a corporation, so personal compliance is a matter of determining liability. Anything and everything that is used has a sheet for proper handling (in the MSDS sheet). Binder is attached to the wall, everything is stored in our chemical cabinet anything put into a bottle other than the original is labeled for identification. Cork grease, oil for the lathe, solder acid, naptha, acetone, super glue is in there. Not only is everyone here in the shop aware of MSDS compliance, but the whole building has training once a year should something bad happen in the shop and anyone else needs to take care of us..

When anything new comes into the shop, one of my responsibilities as supervisor is to acquire the proper MSDS sheet, labels, and provide copies to the HR person so the information is distributed throughout the building. There are 3 MSDS books in the building. One here in QC, one in the Drum shop and one in the general office area.

Those of us in the shop pretty much know what to do, but other people come in occassionally to borrow solvents to clean something and so they get handed the chemicals and the necessary safety equipment to use..

[JButky]

Forgot to add. Regarding NAPBIRT, Members have access to saftey standards as they are utilized at the training center. Every NAPBIRT university training course, if you go, begins with safety training and makes everyone aware of where the MSDS sheets are and all the proper procedures.

[flutego12]

That's fantastic. The Q was not an "audit" but merely for my own awareness.
Love the disciplined approach that is espoused in all you do in the trades,
vocation, industry et cetera. I do recognise their importance.
My exposure in these matters are v ltd as my background is more data related of the non chemical kind.
I incidentally found some of the relevant MSDS on Ferree's website.

I don't use a lot and very infrequently compared to most of you but was wondering if I'm starting to get careless.
3M Anti Tarnish
Denatured Alcohol
(Rubbing Alcohol)
Contact Cement
Parafin
Shellac flakes
Hetman Oil
Pad Juice

Is about all I use so far

I would love to get my hands onto those ultrasonic cleaners =) but can't justify.

[fluteguy18]

The majority of the stuff is somewhat common sense. Most silver dips are some sort of acid. Wear gloves so you don't burn yourself. Denatured alcohol dries your skin out so don't get it on your hands too much. Don't light something if your hands have alcohol on them (they WILL catch fire FYI). Don't huff your contact cement if you intend on getting any work done...