Magnum Venus Plastech SAFETY WARNING INFORMATION User Manual

SAFETY & WARNING

INFORMATION

MAGNUM VENUS PLASTECH

SAFETY & WARNING INFORMATION REV. 06/2012

SAFETY & WARNING INFORMATION

OPERATING YOUR POLYESTER SYSTEM SAFELY

1. Introduction

Any tool, if used improperly, can be dangerous. Safety is ultimately the responsibility of those
using the tool. In like manner, safe operation of polyester processes is the responsibility of those
who use such processes and those who operate the equipment. This manual outlines
procedures to be followed in conducting polyester operations safety. This system has been
specifically designed for use of Polyester Resin, Gel-Coat, and Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxides
(MEKP) applications. Other formulations or blends considered for use in this equipment is
strictly prohibited without the expressed consent by Magnum Venus Plastech Inc. Magnum
Venus Plastech cannot eliminate every danger nor foresee every circumstance that might cause
an injury during equipment operation. Some risks, such as the high pressure liquid stream that
exits the spray tip, are inherent to the nature of the machine operation and are necessary to the
process in order to manufacture the end-product. For this reason, ALL personnel involved in
polyester operations should read and understand the Safety Manual. It is very important for the
safety of employees involved in the operation that equipment operators, maintenance and
supervisory personnel understand the requirements for safe operation. Each user should
examine his own operation, develop his own safety program and be assured that his equipment
operators follow correct procedures. Magnum Venus Plastech hopes that this manual is helpful
to the user and recommends that the precautions in this manual be included in any such
program. Magnum Venus Plastech recommends this Safety Manual remain on your equipment
at all times for your personnel safety. In addition to the manual, Magnum Venus Plastech
recommends that the user consult the regulations established under the Occupational Safety &
Health Act (OSHA), particularly the following sections:

1910.94 Pertaining to Ventilation.

1910.106 Pertaining to flammable liquids

1910.107 Pertaining to spray finishing operations, particularly Paragraph (m) Organic Peroxides
and Dual Component Coatings.

Other standards and recognized authorities to consult are the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) bulletins as follows:

NFPA No.33 Chapter 14, Organic Peroxides and Dual Component Materials
NFPA No.63 Dust Explosion Prevention
NFPA No.70 National Electrical Code
NFPA No.77 Static Electricity
NFPA No.91 Blower and Exhaust System
NFPA No.654 Plastics Industry Dust Hazards
Type of Fire Extinguishing equipment recommended: Fire Extinguisher – code ABC, rating

number 4a60bc.

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Extinguishing Media – Foam, Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, Water Fog.
Copies of the above bulletins are available, at a nominal charge from:

National Fire Protection Association
470 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

Research Report No.11 of the American Insurance Association deal with “Fire, Explosion and

Health Hazards of Organic Peroxides”. It is published by:
American Insurance Association

85 John Street
New York, NY 10038

Local codes and authorities also have standards to be followed in the operation of your spraying
equipment. Your insurance carrier will be helpful in answering questions that arise in your
development of safe procedures.

1.2 Personal Safety Equipment

Magnum Venus Plastech recommends the following Personal Safety Equipment for conducting
safe operations of the Polyester Systems:

Magnum Venus Plastech recommends that the user consult the state and local regulations
established for all Safety equipment listed.

2.0 Material Safety

2.1 Hazards Associated with Laminating Operations

The major hazards which should be guarded against in polyester laminating operations are
those associated with:

1. The flammability and explosion dangers of the catalyst normally used – Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Peroxide (MEKP).

2. The flammability dangers of clean-up solvents sometimes used (Magnum Venus Plastech
recommends that clean-up solvents be non-flammable), and of resin diluents used, such as
styrene.

3. The flammability dangers of catalyst diluents, if used. (Magnum Venus Plastech recommends
that catalyst not be diluted.

4. The flammability dangers of the uncured liquid resins used.

5. The combustibility dangers of the cured laminate, accumulations of over spray, and laminate
sandings.

6. The toxicity dangers of all the chemicals used in laminating operations with respect to
ingestion, inhalation and skin and eye hazards.

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2.2 Catalyst (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide)

MEKP is among the more hazardous materials found in commercial channels. The safe

handling of the “unstable (reactive)” chemicals presents a definite challenge to the plastics

industry. The highly reactive property which makes MEKP valuable to the plastics industry in
producing the curing reaction of polyester resins also produces the hazards which require great
care and caution in its storage, transportation, handling, processing and disposal. MEKP is a
single chemical. Various polymeric forms may exist which are more or less hazardous with
respect to each other. These differences may arise not only from different molecular structures
(all are, nevertheless, called “MEKP”) and from possible trace impurities left from the
manufacture of the chemicals, but may also arise by contamination of MEKP with other
materials in its storage or use. Even a small amount of contamination with acetone, for instance,
may produce an extremely shock-sensitive and explosive compound.

Contamination with promoters or materials containing promoters, such as laminate
sandings, or with any readily oxidizing material, such as brass or iron, will cause

exothermic “redox” reactions which can become explosive in nature. Heat applied to

MEKP, or heat build-up from contamination reactions can cause it to reach what is called
its Self-Accelerating Decomposition Temperature (SADT).

Researchers have reported measuring pressure rates-of-rise well in excess of 100,000 psi per
second when certain MEKP’s reach their SADT. (For comparison, the highest pressure rate-of-

rise listed in NFPA Bulletin NO.68, “Explosion Venting”, is 12,000 psi per second for an

explosion of 12% acetylene and air. The maximum value listed for a hydrogen explosion is
10,000 psi per second. Some forms of MEKP, if allowed to reach their SADT, will burst even an
open topped container. This suggests that it is not possible to design a relief valve to vent this
order of magnitude of pressure rate-of-rise. The user should be aware that any closed
container, be it a pressure vessel, surge chamber, or pressure accumulator, could explode
under certain conditions. There is no engineering substitute for care by the user in handling
organic peroxide catalysts. If, at any time, the pressure relieve valve on top of the catalyst tank
should vent, the area should be evacuated at once and the fire department called. The venting
could be the first indication of a heat, and therefore, pressure build-up that could eventually lead
to an explosion. Moreover, if a catalyst tank is sufficiently full when the pressure relief valve
vents, some catalyst may spray out, which could cause eye injury. For this reason, and many
others, anyone whose job puts them in an area where this vented spray might go, should
always wear full eye protection even when laminating operations are not taking place.

Safety in handling MEKP depends to a great extent on employee education, proper safety
instructions and safe use of the chemicals and equipment. Workers should be thoroughly
informed of the hazards that may result from improper handling of MEKP, especially in regards
to contamination, heat, friction and impact. They should be thoroughly instructed regarding the
proper action to be taken in the storage, use and disposal of MEKP and other hazardous
materials used in the laminating operation. In addition, users should make every effort to:

A. Store MEKP in a cool, dry place in original containers away from direct sunlight and away
from other chemicals.

B. Keep MEKP away from heat, sparks and open flames.
C. Prevent contamination of MEKP with other materials, including polyester over spray and

sandings, polymerization accelerators and promoters, brass, aluminum and non-stainless
steels.

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