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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: Maxie on May 13, 2016, 04:20:38 PM

Title: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Maxie on May 13, 2016, 04:20:38 PM
I have a new worker who is supposed to be a printer but in our place everyone does a bit of everything.
He is complaining that the screen cleaning chemicals make him nauseous.
Anyone heard of this before?
Not sure what to do with him, maybe buy him a good mask or say goodbye.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Frog on May 13, 2016, 04:28:53 PM
Read the MSDS sheets that are available for every ink and chemical.

Also, some places, masks may be required for employee health and safety.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Sbrem on May 13, 2016, 04:35:21 PM
Andy's advice is right, and you may have hit on your 2 options, get a nice respirator, and if that doesn't work out, then it's a bad match...

Steve
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Croft on May 14, 2016, 06:54:47 PM
I know there are some brands I can't even stand in the shop, so could be true.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: mt_signex on May 14, 2016, 09:21:59 PM
My allergies are pretty severe and I noticed some of my chemicals would cause my nose to run, make me cough, etc and I checked the MSDS and bought an appropriate 3M mask and filter combo and have no issues at all while cleaning now.  It was fairly inexpensive.


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Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Maff on May 14, 2016, 10:16:02 PM
Is he a great worker?
Are you married to your brand of cleaning chems?

If he's a really great worker, in the long run it may be worth switching to a brand that better suits with the staff.

There are a 101 cleaning chems out there and some I've tried stink like hell, and others smell like oranges.

But if he sucks... than this could be the first of more complaints/annoyances to follow...
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: Rockers on May 15, 2016, 02:53:33 AM
Have you heard of MCS-Multi Chemical Sensitivity. There are people out there who suffer from it.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: SoccerMom on May 16, 2016, 12:46:05 AM
    I would cover yourself by buying the mask, and making the MSDS are made accessible to him (although apparently that's no longer mandatory) and work him hard till he either proves himself or quits.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: mk162 on May 16, 2016, 09:32:04 AM
MSDS are no longer mandatory, but SDS sheets are.

I've heard of this before, but usually it was from people that didn't come back after lunch or for day 2.

What chemicals are bothering him?  Maybe you can swap a couple of those out, heck, you might even get a great recommendation here.
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: abchung on May 16, 2016, 09:57:30 AM
You think your worker is sensitive.
This news came out today about an Australian woman that is allergic to BBQ fumes when someone cooks red meat.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-woman-at-risk-of-anaphylactic-shock-from-barbecue-meat-fumes-20160514-gov2wc.html?&utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Afac-14omn0013-optim-nnn%3Anonpaid-25062014-social_traffic-all-organicpost-nnn-smh-o&campaign_code=nocode&promote_channel=social_facebook (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-woman-at-risk-of-anaphylactic-shock-from-barbecue-meat-fumes-20160514-gov2wc.html?&utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Afac-14omn0013-optim-nnn%3Anonpaid-25062014-social_traffic-all-organicpost-nnn-smh-o&campaign_code=nocode&promote_channel=social_facebook)
Title: Re: Chemical sensitivity
Post by: CCI on July 11, 2016, 11:23:40 AM
I have a new worker who is supposed to be a printer but in our place everyone does a bit of everything.
He is complaining that the screen cleaning chemicals make him nauseous.
Anyone heard of this before?
Not sure what to do with him, maybe buy him a good mask or say goodbye.


Check SDS from manufacturer for recommended PPE; probably 3M mask with organic vapor filters would help. Could try Enviroline but can’t guarantee it will smell better if we don’t know what he is using. Different people seem to tolerate smells differently maybe a change of chemical will help.