California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 20 - Flammable Liquids, Gases and Vapors
Article 137 - Spray Coating Operations
Section 5453 - Operation and Maintenance

(a) Spraying shall not be conducted outside of predetermined spraying areas and all provisions of this Section applying to spraying areas shall be strictly followed.

(b) High pressure hose conveying flammable or combustible material in "airless" spray application operations shall be frequently inspected and properly maintained. Hose and equipment shall be so located that in the event of a leak or rupture, application material will not be discharged into any space having a source of ignition.

(c) All spraying areas shall be kept free from the accumulation of deposits of combustible residues. If residue accumulates to excess in booths, duct or duct discharge points or other spraying areas, then all spraying operations shall be discontinued until conditions are corrected.

NOTE: Combustible coverings (thin paper, plastic, etc.) and strippable coatings may be used to facilitate cleaning operations in spray areas.

(d) Spray booths, spray rooms and similar locations shall be thoroughly cleaned of combustible deposits on floors, walls, ceilings, and equipment before any repairs involving the use of torches, electric arcs or sparks, or other source of ignition are undertaken.

(e) Scrapers, spuds or other such tools used for cleaning purposes shall be of non-sparking material.

(f) Residue scrapings and debris contaminated with residue shall be immediately removed from premises and properly disposed of.

(g) Self-closing, hinged, metal waste cans shall be provided wherever rags or waste are impregnated with sprayed material and all such rags or waste shall be deposited therein immediately after use. The contents of waste cans shall be properly disposed of at least once daily or at the end of each shift.

(h) Employees' clothing contaminated with sprayed material shall not be left on the premises overnight unless kept in metal lockers.

(i) Solvents for cleaning operations shall have flash points above 100° F, however, for cleaning spray nozzles and auxiliary equipment, solvents having flash points not less than those normally used in spray operations may be used.

(j) Cleaning operations using flammable or combustible solvents shall be conducted inside spray booths with ventilating equipment operated during cleaning or in other adequately ventilated locations.

(k) Spray booths shall not be alternately used for different types of coating materials, where the combination of materials may be conducive to spontaneous ignition, unless all deposits of the first used material are removed from the booth and exhaust ducts prior to spraying with the second.

(l) Unless spray booths are thoroughly cleaned before changing operations, booths used for application of pyroxylin finishes shall not be used for other purposes.

(m) Smoking shall be prohibited except in designated localities. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be conspicuously posted where hazard from flammable vapors may be reasonably expected.