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Post by finally on Sept 3, 2008 19:27:31 GMT -5
Hi all I'm new here......
I've been ask to run the floor crew where I work.
I didn't have a problem with that until I realized what I was walking into...
The floor crew of the past did not use the specific chemicals typically used to do the floors.
Ex:
To strip the floors they were using a "paint stripper solution"
This entire crew is no longer on the job because I am working for a company who got right of the entire janitorial crew an they outsourced it out to a company that I am now working for.
So there is nobody at this company that can explain to me how they were able to use a paint stripper to strip floors...(or if they even did)
I convinced the company that I was not comfortable with using a paint stripper. I wasn't sure of the immediate results it would have as well as the long term results.
They agreed to order me products I need. But they may take a while for them to get to me.
Presently I am using a chemical that is for floors primarially a degreeser to strip with....I have to use it full strength or it dosen't dissolve the old wax...But it is working it's just going to be very costly so I don't forsee them letting me use it for too long....
SO all that being said......
What is the opinion here of me using a paint strip in order to strip floors?
Why dose this company have paint stripper?
Because it is an automotive company......An it is used to clean there paint rooms on night shift...
So it's some pretty strong stuff!....lol
Thanks for listening I hope someone takes an interest in this post an offers me some suggestions/help...
Have a nice evening!
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Post by logan5127 on Sept 3, 2008 20:37:56 GMT -5
What could happen??  Have you looked at an MSDS sheet on the product. What could happen?? You could have a spark inside the machine. The product is probably highly likely to ignite. What could happen?? You could cause an explosion that kills you, everyone around you and burn the building to the ground  or perhaps it won't. You could be overcome with chemical fumes and exposure and possibly heart failure or not. You could develope a disease over a period of time or not. You could have respirtory problems that may stay with you the rest of your life which may be short or perhaps not. Now the question should be Why would I do such a thing?? I can see no answer  . Even if they paid you great amounts of money it comes down to , Is living more important  . Stripper is not so costly as to risk everything. Even some strippers are not as safe as they could be. Would you be fired if you refuse to use the paint thinner? If so than count that as a blessing and find another job  . Don't mean to sound so negative but I would like to see you posting more in the future. OSHA would have a very good day of revenue if they came in on this job. |
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Post by finally on Sept 5, 2008 7:26:56 GMT -5
I don't think you were hard. But I did say "paint stripper" An not paint thinner.......I don't know if that would make a difference or not in your reply?.....would it? An yes I requested the MSDS sheet.... But honestly I didn't know what to look for the would tell me it wouldn't be a good idea to use...... I did compare it to the cleaner that I am using to presently remove the wax and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of differences.....
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Post by logan5127 on Sept 5, 2008 18:36:11 GMT -5
Didn't mean to be hard . But it did get some attention and hopefully help someone to prevent an accident.
And yes I would say the same thing for Paint Stripper . I would reply the same. The best thing is to use a product designed for a particular job , that way there is no question as to what it can do and how safe it is to use and how to use it. Degreaser is designed to take grease off, not wax. Paint Stripper is designed to remove paint and I don't think you will see anywhere in the directions to use an electirical device to scrub it with or that it can be used to remove wax on a floor. Instead it will probably say something like , use a puddy knife and lightly scrape off paint as it loosens. I am not sure, I have not dealt with paint stripper but my guess is that it is flamable. The thing you need to do is read all the MSDS sheet. The flash point; the health factors; and so on. Some will require protective equipment such as respirators. Above all , Be Safe.
Not sure what area you live in but I still don't understand why your company has a hard time getting stripper designed for removing wax. There are so many dealers out there. You can even get it at lowes and other hardware stores.
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Post by www.cmpropertymaint.com on Sept 6, 2008 7:52:33 GMT -5
Hazard symbols in the work place I truly need to agree with bill on this one chemical reactions and flash points their are chemicals for instance chemicals witch when mixed with water can explode to alcohol and methane that can be ignited just by the static you crate in the air when opening their containers.Here are some hazard symbols to help you along stay safe educate your self to go home the same way you went to work intact. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazard_symbolFree poster get informed inform your employees stay safe don't play chemist safety is your concern www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.htmlwww.cmpropertymaintenance |
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Post by finally on Sept 6, 2008 10:37:16 GMT -5
Thank you so much! To answer some questions for you .....Yes a repirator is required to use the paint stripper. The issue with getting proper chemicals is this company is attempting to cut cost in any ways possible..LIke I said I am employed by an automotive industry. Who are hurting tremdously right now. The goal the company is trying to accomplish is only buying products that can be used for multiple purposes. An even though I would like to accomodate them.. I have expressed a huge concern to them about trying to use a "paint stripper" to strip floors instead of a proper stripper as I have shared with you here already. But I didn't have any specific knowledge of to why I had this concern. So considering the flash point of this chemical is a very good point. If you think of anything else. Please share with me. I am starting my second week in this position an still now word on the progress of getting approval for a proper stripper.... An I am quickly running out of the degreaswer as it is taking sevearal 16 ounce bottles to break the wax down an am having to use it at full strength....right out of the bottle. I am not using a scrubber ( again because of not knowing exactly what possible damage it could cause the floor using a chemical not designed to use a scrubber with)... but am doing it by hand.... Again thank you for your time/attention to this topic. It has been very helpful!!! Have a good weekend!  |
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Post by finally on Sept 6, 2008 10:51:14 GMT -5
Wow.....I realized that I had the msds sheets home with me..... I just took a look at them Good news an bad news Well I guess it's all in how you look at it. The bad news is the chemical that has been told to me is a "paint stripper"...who know for sure it is because it dosen't specifically indicate that anywhere on this msds sheet that this is what it is used for....anyway the flash point information on this product is "n/a"...so that wouldn't help in my case to build against using it. However the flash point information on the other product I am using...which by the way has been my understanding is that it is a degreaser,...however on the msds sheet it indicates it as a DISINFECTANT?!.......anyway this product has a flash point of 200 degrees!  .....OH MY.... EXCELLENT POINT YOU HAVE MADE! THANK YOU ....YOU MAY HAVE SAVED MY LIFE WITH THIS INFORMATION!  |
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Post by www.cmpropertymaint.com on Sept 6, 2008 13:11:01 GMT -5
their are thousands of free postings on the wed here is one that may help.the best thing to do is ask your boss to run you through their company hazard awareness program as we all have an obligation to our clients and employees through several right to know laws in the u.s.my suggestion is to educate your self if you boss is experiencing growing Paine's and cutting costs www.scripps.edu/researchservices/ehs/generalsafety/facilities/nfpa.html |
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or perhaps it won't.
. Even if they paid you great amounts of money it comes down to , Is living more important 
. Stripper is not so costly as to risk everything. Even some strippers are not as safe as they could be. Would you be fired if you refuse to use the paint thinner? 
. 
.....OH MY....