Fibreglass is an artificial fibre composed of glass-reinforced plastic, usually used in liquid form and then hardened by the processing of catalysts and accelerators. This material is often used in shipyards and workshops for painting and welding metal parts and can pose a health hazard.
Industries where fiberglass is used
Fibreglass is considered a highly innovative material because it is durable and, therefore, suitable for multiple uses. In addition to being hard-wearing it is also lightweight. The industries where it is most used are shipyards and the automotive industry, but it is also employed in the building of swimming pools and in the food sector. In the latter case, it is used for manufacturing large containers which can be used for transport purposes as well, particularly in the wine industry. This feature proves that this material is fairly safe.
Health risks for workers exposed to fibreglass
When it comes to fibreglass and the risks associated with its use, one is actually talking about a type of plastic, polyester in particular, reinforced with glass. In the past, asbestos was also used in manufacturing fibreglass and the risk was really very high, but since asbestos has been banned, fibreglass has become much safer, although not completely risk free.
Even if industrial glass fibres no longer contain asbestos nowadays, the inhalation of fibreglass can cause serious respiratory problems i.e. a build-up of fibreglass in the lungs can cause irritation and, in the case of increased exposure, it can cause tearing of the lung tissues. Fibreglass is harmful to the eyes, body and hands as well, as it can penetrate the skin and cause itching, inflammation and more or less severe rashes. In addition, fibreglass is included in the list of substances which increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer and the frequent use of toxic solvents in combination with the glass fibres can make the situation even more critical.
In addition, fibreglass is a health risk above all because different types of resins are added during the manufacturing process; the most used being styrene, which can lead to lung cancer if inhaled in large quantities. Styrene is extremely irritating to the eyes and nose and, at higher concentrations, it causes skin irritation, depression, headache, dizziness, asthma liver problems.
The “green” construction sector avoided the use of fibreglass in the past as potentially carcinogenic, but it was actually this feature which led to a thorough study of the subject resulting in its substitution with solubilised glass fibres which are easily expellable by the lungs. This, however, does not eliminate the fibreglass risk completely because fibres are only risk free as long as they are not exposed to the environment as air tends to weaken the binding glue in time allowing the release of fibres. This can occur particularly during product disposal.
For shipyard workers the risk posed by using fibreglass is also present during the installation process. When forming the boat’s hull and saddle, workers come into contact with organic vapours, styrene in particular, a substance classified as a carcinogenic (Group 2b) which the EC is actually thinking of banning. Styrene causes irritation to the eyes, skin, respiratory tract, may depress the central nervous system and cause blood disorders and liver problems. Symptoms of chronic exposure include asthma, dizziness, headaches, dermatitis, liver problems.
In addition to product disposal and application, the actual production of fibreglass slabs or cylinders also poses a health risk as glass fibres may be inhaled during this process and deposited in the lungs leading to irritation and, in time, be the cause of cancer
PPE for protection against fibreglass
It is essential to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with fibreglass. In addition to special clothing to protect the skin from hazardous substances, the eyes and respiratory system are to be protected as well. The ideal solution would be the choice of RPD (Respiratory Protective Devices) that cover face and eyes so as to prevent any contact with the vapours and volatile substances present in fibreglass. The RPD is to be equipped with filters which clean out the air before it is supplied to the mask/helmet so as to prevent the inhalation not only of fibres but also of vapours as well. These devices, naturally, need to be kept efficient at all times.
The most effective PPE for protection against fibreglass are respiratory protective devices equipped with filters to purify the air and protect the respiratory tract from glass fibres and harmful resins such as styrene. Some types of filters contain activated carbon, which has a limited duration, and need to be replaced at regular intervals.
The most suitable PPE, in these situations, appear to be those equipped with a helmet and a powered blower unit which draws contaminated air through filters and sends it through a breathing tube to the inside of the helmet. The positive pressure which builds up inside the helmet helps to breathe comfortably even under strain so this system is particularly suitable for workers who process or work with fibreglass.
Respiratory protective devices, however, are not enough to ensure the overall protection of workers using fibreglass. Along with these, other PPE are to be worn, i.e. protective clothing, shoes, gloves, eyewear and ear-protectors. Glass fibres, in fact, can cause skin irritation and tissue lacerations and standard work wear is not enough to shield against fibreglass damage.
Lastly, the workplace environment is equally important for worker safety. In order to minimize the risk of inhaling fibreglass, hoods, ventilation systems and localized suction systems are to be installed. Furthermore, airborne toxicity levels can be easily revealed by using special detection devices.
KASCO srl produces Respiratory Protective Devices incorporating helmets suitable for fibreglass workers. These devices are equipped with heavy-duty, compact, lightweight blower units which offer complete protection of the worker’s head, face, ears and neck.
Jun 5 2017
Working with fibreglass: Health risks and safety measures
Industries where fiberglass is used
Fibreglass is considered a highly innovative material because it is durable and, therefore, suitable for multiple uses. In addition to being hard-wearing it is also lightweight. The industries where it is most used are shipyards and the automotive industry, but it is also employed in the building of swimming pools and in the food sector. In the latter case, it is used for manufacturing large containers which can be used for transport purposes as well, particularly in the wine industry. This feature proves that this material is fairly safe.
Health risks for workers exposed to fibreglass
When it comes to fibreglass and the risks associated with its use, one is actually talking about a type of plastic, polyester in particular, reinforced with glass. In the past, asbestos was also used in manufacturing fibreglass and the risk was really very high, but since asbestos has been banned, fibreglass has become much safer, although not completely risk free.
Even if industrial glass fibres no longer contain asbestos nowadays, the inhalation of fibreglass can cause serious respiratory problems i.e. a build-up of fibreglass in the lungs can cause irritation and, in the case of increased exposure, it can cause tearing of the lung tissues. Fibreglass is harmful to the eyes, body and hands as well, as it can penetrate the skin and cause itching, inflammation and more or less severe rashes. In addition, fibreglass is included in the list of substances which increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer and the frequent use of toxic solvents in combination with the glass fibres can make the situation even more critical.
In addition, fibreglass is a health risk above all because different types of resins are added during the manufacturing process; the most used being styrene, which can lead to lung cancer if inhaled in large quantities. Styrene is extremely irritating to the eyes and nose and, at higher concentrations, it causes skin irritation, depression, headache, dizziness, asthma liver problems.
The “green” construction sector avoided the use of fibreglass in the past as potentially carcinogenic, but it was actually this feature which led to a thorough study of the subject resulting in its substitution with solubilised glass fibres which are easily expellable by the lungs. This, however, does not eliminate the fibreglass risk completely because fibres are only risk free as long as they are not exposed to the environment as air tends to weaken the binding glue in time allowing the release of fibres. This can occur particularly during product disposal.
For shipyard workers the risk posed by using fibreglass is also present during the installation process. When forming the boat’s hull and saddle, workers come into contact with organic vapours, styrene in particular, a substance classified as a carcinogenic (Group 2b) which the EC is actually thinking of banning. Styrene causes irritation to the eyes, skin, respiratory tract, may depress the central nervous system and cause blood disorders and liver problems. Symptoms of chronic exposure include asthma, dizziness, headaches, dermatitis, liver problems.
In addition to product disposal and application, the actual production of fibreglass slabs or cylinders also poses a health risk as glass fibres may be inhaled during this process and deposited in the lungs leading to irritation and, in time, be the cause of cancer
PPE for protection against fibreglass
It is essential to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with fibreglass. In addition to special clothing to protect the skin from hazardous substances, the eyes and respiratory system are to be protected as well. The ideal solution would be the choice of RPD (Respiratory Protective Devices) that cover face and eyes so as to prevent any contact with the vapours and volatile substances present in fibreglass. The RPD is to be equipped with filters which clean out the air before it is supplied to the mask/helmet so as to prevent the inhalation not only of fibres but also of vapours as well. These devices, naturally, need to be kept efficient at all times.
The most effective PPE for protection against fibreglass are respiratory protective devices equipped with filters to purify the air and protect the respiratory tract from glass fibres and harmful resins such as styrene. Some types of filters contain activated carbon, which has a limited duration, and need to be replaced at regular intervals.
The most suitable PPE, in these situations, appear to be those equipped with a helmet and a powered blower unit which draws contaminated air through filters and sends it through a breathing tube to the inside of the helmet. The positive pressure which builds up inside the helmet helps to breathe comfortably even under strain so this system is particularly suitable for workers who process or work with fibreglass.
Respiratory protective devices, however, are not enough to ensure the overall protection of workers using fibreglass. Along with these, other PPE are to be worn, i.e. protective clothing, shoes, gloves, eyewear and ear-protectors. Glass fibres, in fact, can cause skin irritation and tissue lacerations and standard work wear is not enough to shield against fibreglass damage.
Lastly, the workplace environment is equally important for worker safety. In order to minimize the risk of inhaling fibreglass, hoods, ventilation systems and localized suction systems are to be installed. Furthermore, airborne toxicity levels can be easily revealed by using special detection devices.
KASCO srl produces Respiratory Protective Devices incorporating helmets suitable for fibreglass workers. These devices are equipped with heavy-duty, compact, lightweight blower units which offer complete protection of the worker’s head, face, ears and neck.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •