The automotive market is under strong pressure to reduce the use of environmentally harmful substances. Therefore, we have to be prepared for changes to our habits, which have become second nature to us over the years. When it comes to the use of suitable paint products, the amount of volatile substances in solvent-based systems has been significantly reduced, and a significant reduction has been achieved through the introduction of water-based systems. Water-based paints may seem more expensive to use due to the longer drying time at a certain temperature, but like all technologies, they have their pros and cons, and in this case, the pros outweigh the negatives.

Modern water-based systems are commonly used in car factories, thanks to which the emission of harmful substances into the environment has been significantly reduced. When using solvent-based or water-based paints, we are exposed to their effects, which we usually feel when preparing formulations. That is why it is so important to use protective equipment in the workshop.

What does it cost to ensure full protection for paint shop employees? The total amount of funds spent on personal protective equipment for employees is influenced by the number of cars repaired, because with a larger number, the frequency of replacing worn protective equipment increases. However, body shop owners often have to remind employees to use protective equipment. Habits are a problem, and often it is simply forgotten to use gloves or masks in the paint shop. This is especially noticeable when painting with water-based paints in spray booths, when you cannot smell the thinner that you can with conventional paints. Then painters often think they do not need a mask.

No matter what paint materials we use, it is essential to wear a paint suit made of non-electrifying material to avoid creating a spark that could cause an explosion in a confined space. Other items of clothing, such as T-shirts and trousers, should also be made of materials suitable for use in an explosive atmosphere. Paint suits are not washed, unlike other clothes, so the cost of washing them at home or at a dry cleaner's must be included in the budget. Another essential protective material is gloves, which effectively isolate our skin from external harmful factors, such as various chemicals from which car paints are made. But above all, let's remember to protect the respiratory tract and eyes, which are very sensitive to inhaled chemicals and pollutants.

But is there a way to limit the time an employee is exposed to harmful chemicals? Of course it is! First of all, there is a noticeable trend towards reducing repair time by using primers with a short drying time (e.g. CP 375 by PROFIX) or clear coats with an express drying speed (here we can distinguish products such as CP 2015 by Profix).

Then there is the question of how to take care of the booth so that it is a friendly working environment for the painter. The most important thing is to remember to change the filters regularly and thus maintain the correct pressure in the spray booth. As the filters, especially the floor filters, wear out, it becomes more difficult to draw in air, which leads to overpressure that can be detected by a sensor installed in the booth. That is why it is so important to build a structurally correct booth, as it is a safety element for the painter.

We may encounter situations in which painters switch off the sensors themselves so that they do not disturb them, but unfortunately this does not take safety into account, and it should be remembered that correct cabin pressure values also mean better painting results. When using solvent-based systems, it is necessary to use more expensive carbon filters, which significantly increase the workshop's costs. To reduce them, primers should be applied not in the spray booth but in the preparation area. When using water-based systems, costs are also reduced due to less frequent filter changes.

Protecting your eyes is very important and, in addition to direct protection measures, you should also pay attention to lighting. It is essential for the correct application of paint, but it also has a significant impact on our eyesight, because too intense light dries out the eyes and can promote inflammation. That is why it is important to use the right amount of light so that the eyes do not have to work too hard.

One of the characteristics of good workshop management is order. Dividing the workshop into zones helps to organise the work and reduce the number of accidents. When the workshop is busy, it is easy to trip over equipment that has not been put back in its place, so taking a few seconds to leave the place tidy can prove invaluable.

Finally, we need to mention the disposal of harmful materials produced during the painting process. We should start with the thinner used to clean the painting equipment. In thinner systems, we can use distillers and recover the thinner, which is then reused. In water systems, we can use coagulants to thicken the remaining mixture, and the water is drained into the sewage system. The residues produced after distillation and the use of coagulants must be collected and disposed of by a waste management company. What about cabin filters? Contaminated filters must be treated as hazardous waste and collected by a specialised company. They must not be disposed of in a normal waste bin.