HAZARDS IN HARDWOOD FLOOR INSTALLATION AND FINISHING
Hello … welcome to another Ministry of Labour health and safety podcast. In this segment, we're going to discuss hardwood floor installation and finishing.
Construction and renovation in Ontario's low rise and high rise residential sectors is booming. The industrial, commercial and institutional sector is also seeing high activity. As well, many homeowners are undertaking their own home renovations.
A common, but a potentially hazardous job in construction and renovation is hardwood floor installation and finishing.
One of the main hazards is the wide use of solvent-based products. These products are often highly flammable and/or combustible and pose a significant risk of fire and explosion. As well, when improperly handled they may cause acute or chronic health effects in workers.
The process of hardwood floor installation and finishing usually involves the use of three kinds of product:
• An adhesive is used to apply wood flooring to concrete or other types of sub-floor.
• A sanding sealer mixed with sawdust is applied to the sanded wood surface.
• Finally, a varnish is applied as a top coat as soon as the sanding sealer has dried.
Improper use and handling of these products can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
If these products are used in an enclosed or poorly ventilated area, vapour build-up can concentrate the vapours. When this happens, a spark or an open flame can cause an explosion or fire.
Inhalation of vapours can cause significant health problems. Many of these solvents include such chemicals as epoxies, urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, and nitrocellulose resins and additives. Prolonged exposure to these vapours may lead to serious chronic and acute health problems
Direct contact chemicals in these solvents can also cause harmful skin reaction, which eventually can lead to severe health problems.
There are a number of actions workplaces should and must take to mitigate these hazards.
Primarily, less flammable or non-flammable and non-combustible products should be used where these are available. And, less toxic products should be used where these are available. This will prevent both short-term and long-term adverse effects in workers.
Other actions to be taken include:
• Following the manufacturer's instructions on the materials data sheet, which is required through WHMIS.
• Providing adequate ventilation to dilute the vapours.
• Eliminating all open flames and other sources of ignition in the work area.
Workplaces should also provide adequate personal protective equipment such as gloves and respirators. The respirators should be properly fitted to provide an effective seal between the respirator and the worker's face. As well, protective gloves or creams must be provided to prevent direct skin contact with these products.
Installing and finishing hardwood floors can present health and safety risks. When done properly, with adequate protection, the risks can be minimized.
The result will be a glorious new floor … and a healthy and safe worker.
And that's it for this Ministry of Labour health and safety podcast.
Thank you for listening.