janitors graffiti

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Janitors, Custodians, and HousekeepersModule 5


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This module:

Is one in a series of modules that will discuss

hazards janitors, custodians, and housekeepersmay encounter.

Will cover removing graffiti and provide tips forprevention injuries and illness

Module 1 will cover chemical hazards fromcleaning products

Module 2 will cover physical hazards Module 3 will cover exposure to biological

hazards Module 4 will cover musculoskeletal hazards A stand alone module entitled Working Alone

in Safety may also be of interest


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Special Thanks

This module was adapted fromRemoving Graffiti Safely

a booklet developed by the

Occupational Health Branch of theCalifornia Department of Health

Services

and theLabor Occupational Health Program at

the University of California, Berkeley


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Whats Included in this Module?

Chemicals Can Be Hazardous Health Effects of Chemicals

Chemicals in Graffiti Removers

Your Right To Know

Other Hazards

Respirators

Personal Protective Equipment

Checklist

Additional Resources


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One Workers Story

A school custodian developed occupational asthma from usingcleaning products to remove graffiti. He had been using theseproducts up to four hours every day. Sometimes he worked intight spaces, such as bathroom stalls and stairways, wherethere was not much airflow. After a while, he began to have

symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and tightness in hischest.

Now that he has asthma, the custodian cannot use anygraffiti removal product without getting very sick. He can no

longer work removing graffiti. He had never been told whatchemicals were in the cleaning products, their health effects,or how to use them safely.


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Chemicals Can Be Hazardous

Most products used to remove graffiti containharmful chemicals.

These products may be liquids or solids.

Liquids include cleaning solutions in:

bottles,

sprays, or

special towels that come pre-soaked withchemicals.

Solids used to remove graffiti are usually in the

form of a paste.


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How Chemicals Get Into Your Body

Chemicals can get into your body infour main ways:

Breathing (Inhalation)

Skin

Eyes

Swallowing (Ingestion)


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Breathing (Inhalation)

You may be breathing

chemical vapors or fumesfrom the products you use,even if you cant see or smellthem.

From your lungs, chemicals

can get into your blood. Theythen travel to many organs inyour body, where they cancause damage.

It is easier for chemicals to

increase to a harmful level inthe air inside an enclosed areasuch as a bus.


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Skin

You may accidentally get chemicals on

your skin. Even if you wear gloves orprotective clothing, chemicals cansometimes soak through to your skin.

Chemicals can also get onto your skinwhen you are removing wet gloves orclothing.

Chemicals can be absorbed into yourbody through your skin. Somechemicals go through the skin very

fast, and others slowly. Your bloodthen carries the chemicals throughoutyour body.

Some chemicals can hurt your skinitself and cause irritation or serious burns.


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Eyes

Your eyes can be seriously

injured by chemicals.

Chemicals may splash intoyour eyes, or you mayaccidentally touch your eyeswhen you have chemicals on

your hands.

Chemical vapors in the aircan also harm your eyes. Ifyou remove graffiti outsideand its windy, the wind can

blow chemicals into youreyes.

If you remove graffitioverhead, chemicals can dripinto your eyes.


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Sometimes people swallowchemicals that havegotten into their food ordrink, or onto theircigarettes.

You can swallow

chemicals if you eatdrink, or smoke if youdont before washing yourhands.


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Can You Tell By the Smell?

NO!

Dont depend on smell to tell you if a product issafe or unsafe.

Many chemicals are very toxic even though theyhave no odor or smell good. Other chemicals havea strong smell but are fairly harmless.

Some people have a better sense of smell thanothers. Also, you may get used to the odor andlose your ability to smell certain chemicals if youare around them for a while.


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Health Effects of Chemicals

Many chemicals can hurt your body. Withsome chemicals, a small amount can harmyou. With other chemicals, it takes a muchlarger amount to harm you.

Effects of chemicals can be either: short term - cause symptoms right away

(like a burn or a cough). long term - damage your health slowly. You

can use them for months, or even years,before symptoms show up.

Graffiti cleaners can harm many different

parts of your body, depending on whichchemicals they contain. Here are a fewexamples. Some of the symptoms listedhere may be warning signs of more serioushealth problems. If you feel these effects,get medical advice.


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Brain and Nervous System

Vapors of some chemicals can causeheadache, dizziness, drowsiness, lack ofcoordination, or nausea.

EyesSome chemicals can burn your eyes or cause

redness, watering, or itching.

Nose, Throat, and LungsSome chemical vapors can cause a runny nose,scratchy throat, coughing, or shortness ofbreath. A few can cause asthma and otherallergies. If you become allergic to a particularchemical, you may have an allergic reactionevery time you use it.

SkinIf you get certain chemicals on your skin, theycan cause redness, itching, dryness, cracking,

flaking, or burns.


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Blood-Forming SystemOne class of chemicals, ethylene glycol ethers, candamage the bone marrow, where blood cells areformed. They can also damage the red blood cellsthemselves. This can cause anemia.

Liver and Kidneys

A few chemicals can cause permanent liver andkidney damage.

Reproductive SystemSome chemicals can damage eggs and sperm, orcause birth defects. This is not common.

CancerCertain chemicals, such as methylene chloride,can cause cancer.


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Some Dangerous Chemicals in Graffiti Removers

D-limonene Can cause eye, nose, & throat irritation, skin allergies, and

dermatitis.

EthyleneGlycol Ethers

Can damage sperm, cause birth defects, and harm the blood-forming system. Easily absorbed through the skin. Can also causenose and throat irritation. Other glycol ethers are much lessharmful.

Isocyanates Found in some anti-graffiti coatings. May cause nose and throat

irritation. Powerful cause of asthma and skin allergies.

MethyleneChloride

Can cause cancer. Can cause eye, nose, throat, and skinirritation, headache, loss of balance, and other brain effects. Highexposure can cause liver and kidney damage. Changes to carbonmonoxide in the blood, lowering the bloods ability to carry

oxygen.

Methyl EthylKetone (MEK)

Can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, loss ofbalance, and other brain effects.

N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Suspected to cause reproductive problems and harm unbornchildren. Skin contact can cause swelling, blistering, and burns.

Toluene Can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, skin irritation and

dermatitis, headache, loss of balance, and other brain effects.


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Your Right To Know

Whenever you work with chemicals, youremployer must:

give you training about their hazards make sure that all containers are labeled with

chemical names and hazard warnings. have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

for each chemical product used

You have the right to see the MSDS and to makea copy.

According to Washington health and safety regulations, you

have the right to know about the chemicals you work with.Your employer must, by law, give you information about thesechemicals, their health effects, and how to protect yourself.


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Your Right To Know

Facts About Material Safety Data Sheets:(MSDS)

They give information about the ingredients andhazards of the product.

They can be hard to read and may have

incomplete or inaccurate information.

Sometimes manufacturers dont list allingredients because they consider them tradesecrets.

They can quickly get outdated because productformulas change so make sure you have themost recent MSDS.

For other sources of information on chemical products,see Additional Resources


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Other Hazards of Removing Graffiti

Musculoskeletal:

Hazards from extensive: standing bending reaching

scrubbing repeating the same motions many

times

You can often prevent injuries by: using better equipment, such as

longer handles or padded grips working in a better position taking frequent breaks to stretch


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Fall Hazard

Graffiti is often located on the sides of buildings, onfreeway overpasses, or in other areas that requirethe use of ladders.

To reduce the risk of falls from ladders:

Use ladders with slip-resistant feet

Inspect ladder before climbing Do not use chairs, boxes, or tables as a

substitute for a ladder Set ladder on a flat, firm surface Face the ladder when standing on it and

when climbing up or down

Keep the center of your body between theside rails of the ladderDont work from the top two steps of a

ladder

If a man-lift or other means of reachinggraffiti at elevations is used, fall protection

may be required (a harness and lifeline)


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Lead

Before you remove graffiti frompainted surfaces, your employershould test the underlying paint tofind out if it contains lead.

Lead can be found in paint on olderbuildings, bridges or other metalstructures. Nearly all metal bridgeshave lead paint.

If lead is present, it is illegal to

disturb the paint without specialprecautions and special training.

Some removal methods, such assanding, soda blasting, and pressurewashing are especially dangerous.


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Noise

To remove graffiti you may use soda blastingor hot water pressure washing.

The high noise levels from these machines candamage your hearing.

You may not notice hearing loss right awaybecause it usually happens slowly over aperiod of time.

You should wear hearing protection if youwork in noisy conditions.


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Heat

Working in hot temperatures putsyou at risk of heat stroke and relatedproblems.

Your employer should train you inhow to respond to the symptoms ofheat-related illness.

There should always be enoughdrinking water available.


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Understanding Respirators

For some graffiti removal work, you may need a

respirator.

A respirator is a face mask that provides you withclean air when you work around chemicals. If yourrespirator fits well and works right, it reduces thechemical vapors and dusts that you breathe.

If you need a respirator for graffiti work, you willprobably be given one that filters air with cartridges.These respirators come in two styles: A half-mask respirator just filters the air. A full-face respirator also provides eye protection.

Cartridges come in different colors. Different coloredcartridges protect you from different chemicals. Forgraffiti removal, you probably will need a black

organic vaporcartridge.

Half Mask

Full Face


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Wearing a Respirator

WISHA rules require your employer to give

you a respirator if you need one for the job.The employer must supply the right type ofrespirator and cartridge.

If you are given a respirator to use, therules say you must also get:

A medical evaluation. Respirators are not safefor some people. They can make your lungs andheart work harder. This can be dangerous foranyone with breathing problems or heart trouble.

A fit test. A trained person must make sure yourrespirator is the right size, fits tightly to your

face, and doesnt leak. Facial hair will prevent agood fit and beards are not allowed.

Training. Your employer must explain what typeof respirator you have been given, what it does,how to put it on, and how to clean it.


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Respirators

Are Dust Masks OK?

NO!

A dust mask doesnt protect youfrom chemical vapors at all.

Chemicals go right through themask.

If the vapors are hazardous, youneed a respirator with chemicalcartridges.

X


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Caring for Your Respirator

Know how to take care of

your respirator

For example, they: Shouldnt be stored in direct

sunlight, in a toolbox, or anywhere

they could be crushed.

Should be replaced when they aredamaged or worn out.

Should be cleaned before re-use,especially if they have been incontact with chemicals.


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Graffiti removal is done in many different ways. Youremployer should study each job and must giveyou the right PPE for each job. You may need:

Hand Protection

Use special gloves that protect your hands against

chemicals.

Many chemicals can go right through ordinary gloves,

such as latex, household, cotton, and leather gloves.

Your employer must give you gloves that provideproper protection for the chemicals you are using.

Change gloves when they become torn, cracked,

soaked, discolored, or worn out.


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Eye Protection If you spray or pour chemicals you should wear

chemical goggles, not just safety glasses. Goggles seal the whole area around your eyes. Safety glasses only shield your eyes from

objects like particles or dust.

Face Protection A face shield can give even more protection to

your face when spraying chemicals.

Wear the face shield over your chemicalgoggles.

Goggles

Safety glasses

Face shield


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Hearing Protection Soda blasters and pressure washers produce high

noise levels. You may need to use earplugs or other hearing

protection. Your employer must train you on the proper way to

use hearing protection.

Hearing protection that doesnt properly seal your earswont protect you from the noise.

Depending on where and how you are working,your employer may also need to provide:

Safety shoes

Fall protection (safety belt, harness, and lifeline) Coveralls An emergency eye wash A hard hat Training in how to use your PPE.

St i S f A Ch kli t


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Staying Safe - A Checklist

Is there a safer product?

There are many graffiti cleaners on the market. Some are saferthan others. There may be a safer product that works just as well asa hazardous one for removing graffiti. Its your employersresponsibility to provide a safe product.

Do you know what chemicals are in the product you areusing?

You have the right to know what hazardous chemicals a productcontains and how to protect yourself from them. Your employermust have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each productand let you read it. You must also be given training aboutchemical hazards.

There are hazards in graffiti removal work. Use this checklist to

make sure you understand how to work safely. Review thechecklist before each job.

Check the box if the answer is YES.

St i S f A Ch kli t


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Are you using as little of the product as possible?Use the smallest amount of a product that will effectively removethe graffiti. The less chemical exposure, the better.

Is there good ventilation?When you remove graffiti inside a building, use a fan or similar

ventilation device to move chemicals out of your work area andbring in fresh air. If you cant get good ventilation, limit the timeof your exposure. When you work outdoors, position yourselfso the wind is blowing chemicals away from you, not toward you.

Do you need a respirator?

In some situations, you may need a respirator. It depends on thechemical, how much you are using, how long you may beexposed, and the amount of ventilation. If you use a respirator,you must be given a medical evaluation, a fit test, and training.

St i S f A Ch kli t


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Do you have the right personal protective equipment(PPE)?Use PPE every time you need itdont cut corners just becauseyoure in a hurry. Use the right PPE for the type of work you aredoing and the particular chemicals involved. You may need arespirator, chemical resistant gloves, goggles, a face shield, andan apron or coveralls. Sometimes you may also need fallprotection. Your employer is responsible for providing all of thisequipment and training you in how to use it.

Are there special conditions that could increase yourchemical exposure?Chemicals can build up in enclosed areas with little air movement,

like bathroom stalls, buses, and phone booths. If you are cleaninggraffiti overhead, chemicals can drip on you. If you are workingoutdoors and its windy, the wind can blow chemicals into youreyes.

St i S f A Ch kli t


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Is the surface lead-free?

If you remove graffiti from a surface that has lead paint, specialprecautions and special worker training are necessary. Someremoval methods, such as sanding, soda blasting, and pressurewashing are especially dangerous. Your employer must find out ifthere is lead in the paint and tell you.

Do you practice good hygiene at work?Change your clothes right away if they get wet with chemicals orcovered with paint dust. Never bring contaminated clothing orshoes home. They can expose your family to chemicals.When working around chemicals or dust, always wash your handsbefore you eat, drink, or smoke. No one hand cleaner is best forall chemicals. The best thing is to prevent chemicals from getting

on your skin in the first place.

Are people nearby given warning?There should be a system to warn pedestrians and others nearbywhen workers are using chemicals. In some cases access to theimmediate work area should be restricted.

St i S f A Ch kli t


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Do you practice good housekeeping?

Keep your work area free of objects that might make people tripor fall. Clean up slippery areas frequently. Clean up any chemicalspills right away.

Are chemicals stored safely?Graffiti removal products should be stored in tightly closed,

labeled containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. They shouldnever be kept near sparks and other fire sources. Containersshould be stored securely so they cant fall and break. A lockedcabinet is best. Dont store PPE near chemicals.

Are used chemicals disposed of properly?In some cases, chemical products, bottles, dirty rags, drop-cloths,

and other items you have used when removing graffiti may beconsidered hazardous waste. This waste should be labeled andstored in sealed containers. Your employer should dispose of itaccording to local and state hazardous waste regulations. TheMSDS has disposal information. Be especially careful if youtransport these waste materials in a vehicle. Some chemicalwaste that is not tightly sealed can give off fumes inside a vehicle.


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Resources used for this overview:

Removing Graffiti Safelyhttp://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/graffiti.pdf

Developed by the staff at:

Occupational Health Surveillance and Evaluation Program(OHSEP), Occupational Health Branch,

California Department of Health ServicesJacqueline Chan, M.S., M.P.H., Project Industrial Hygienist

Robert Harrison, M.D., M.P.H., Chief, OHSEP

Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), Center for

Occupational and Environmental Health,School of Public Health, University of Caliornia, Berkeley.

Elaine El-Askari, M.P.H., Project Director

Robin Baker, M.P.H., LOHP Director
http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/graffiti.pdfhttp://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/graffiti.pdfhttp://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/graffiti.pdfhttp://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/graffiti.pdf


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WISHA Core Safety Rules (WAC 296-800)

(Basic safety and health rules needed by most employers inWashington State)

http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htm

Additional Safety Rules

(Fall protection, ladders, machine safety, lockout/tagout,electrical, hearing conservation, etc.)

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/RULES/Find/RuleName/default.htm

Look for more in-depth modules on many of the

topics covered in this module at :http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Online/Courses/default.asp

Workplace Safety and Health

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asp
http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htmhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/RULES/Find/RuleName/default.htmhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Online/Courses/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Online/Courses/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Online/Courses/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Online/Courses/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/RULES/Find/RuleName/default.htmhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htm


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MSDS Search

http://www.msdssearch.com/msdssearch.htm

Cleaning Fact Sheets

http://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfm

Sample label - If a container loses its label, or if

you feel that the original label does not provideall the information you want.http://www.westp2net.org/Janitorial/commentaries/labels.

pdf

Information and Help
http://www.msdssearch.com/msdssearch.htmhttp://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfmhttp://www.westp2net.org/Janitorial/commentaries/labels.pdfhttp://www.westp2net.org/Janitorial/commentaries/labels.pdfhttp://www.westp2net.org/Janitorial/commentaries/labels.pdfhttp://www.westp2net.org/Janitorial/commentaries/labels.pdfhttp://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfmhttp://www.msdssearch.com/msdssearch.htm


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Information and Help

Washington law says that every worker has the right to a

safe and healthy workplace. WISHA is the state agency thatenforces this law.

WISHA has many workplace health and safety regulations,which are called standards. For example, there arestandards that require employers to:

Provide necessary PPE, safety equipment, and training at nocost. Limit workers exposure to chemicals, noise, and other

hazards.

If you think there is a health and safety hazard on your job,

ask your employer about it first. You can also contactWISHA to get information or make a complaint. WISHA willnot tell your employer who made the complaint. The lawsays you cant be fired or punished for making a complaint.WISHA may send an inspector to your workplace. If thereare violations, your employer will be required to correctthem and may have to pay a fine.


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WISHA Consultation Services

Safety & Health program review and worksiteevaluation

By employer invitation only

Free

Confidential No citations or penalties

Letter explains findings

Follow-up all serious hazards

For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants.Click below for local L&I office locations:http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consult

ants.asp
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asp


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Thank you for taking the time tolearn about safety and health

and how to prevent injuries andillnesses.

janitors graffiti

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