Fibreglas precautions

marco422 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:14 am Post subject: Fibreglas precautions

I've noticed recently that I'm beginning to get itchy fingers when I drill even one hole in fibreglas. I'm not sure if this is the beginnings of allergies. Do people routinely wear gloves for small jobs like this, or does the fibreglas penetrate latex. Is a mask essential for even these little jobs?

Larry H · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:55 am Post subject:

The glass fibers shatter when drilled, cut, or sanded. Those fine fibers then stick in skin pores causing the dreaded fiberglass itch.

To protect against the glass fibers, cover all exposed skin and wear a mask to avoid breathing the dust. Avoid washing up or showering afterwards with hot water, which caused the fibers to penetrate further into the skin. A cold water washup is best.
Also avoid washing shop clothes in with regular clothes to avoid spreading the fibers.

When drilling or cutting, a shop vacuum held near the cut can suck up a lot of the dust.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:07 am Post subject: Re: Fibreglas precautions

marco422 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:31 am Post subject:

Is it OK to vacuum up the residue or does that just spread around the tiny fibres through the vacuum outlet? Should one wash down the interior of the boat after drilling a number of holes?

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:46 am Post subject:

marco422-

Is it OK to vacuum up the residue or does that just spread around the tiny fibres through the vacuum outlet?

Yes, the vacuum is a great tool, just be sure the fine dust filter is in good shape, or you will just blow them all over the place!

Should one wash down the interior of the boat after drilling a number of holes?

At least vacuum it out, and wash it if you think there are any significant fibers remaining. If its pretty darn clean and you're going out in the ocean or fishing with full clothes on, you might not need to wash it out, but if you're going out in the summer, with bathing suits, shorts, and bare feet, both wash it out with strong water pressure and a soapy brush, then rinse again!

As Larry points out, using the vacuum when you can and where you can will suck up a lot of the fibers as they are produced.

After working with this stuff for a while and getting the dreaded itch, go visit a custom fiberglass boat builder and look around the shop. Some guys are pretty clean and organized, but I've see some that were so messy with fibers and resin that I wouldn't want to sell them health or life insurance coverage 'till the end of the month! Laughing

Joe.

mailbox101 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:12 am Post subject:

If you go to the paint section of your hardware store they sell Tyvek coveralls, gloves, shoe covers, etc., which are sold to protect you from paint. When duck taped together at the seams them make a fairly effective barrier, although it can get hot inside. The advantage is that the whole kit and kaboodle is disposable, which solves the washing problem. Just peel it off slowly when you are done so you don't cause the fibers to go airborne and end up all over you anyway.

Also, I've known several carpenters who coat exposed skin with baby powder before minor fiberglass work. They claim that it reduces the ability of the fibers to stick, but I am not sure if this is effective, or just an urban myth.

Bad Boy · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

If your vacum model has a filter with a HEPA rating, it will block all the figerglass dust and particles from returning through the exhaust port of your vacum cleaner.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

I've noticed that just pulling cables through a new boat will get enough fiberglass dust on the cable to irritate my skin.

Blue gloves are not a fashion statement but a fact of life when working on the boat now.

thataway · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

I agree with all of the great information given. We spent several years building fiberglass boats, and I took care of a number of pioneers in the fiberglass industry. Several died from leukemia type of syndromes. I ams suspicious that prolonged eposure to many of the chemicals in polyester, vinyester and epoxy resins can give serious blood dyscrasias in some people. There for, if you are in high exposure areas, you might consider a positative pressure mask--I have friends who are professional builders who do this. For the casual worker--a good set of fans, to suck fresh air in, and fumes out, will work. Wear goggles, a respirator, a
Tavek suit, hood and nitrile gloves (blue gloves are not latex, they are stronger and more resistant to solvents). I use citrius cleaner to clean up with, rather than acetone or laquor thinner.

I suspect that what you describe is just the fine glass particles--not an allergy. There are also barrier creams you can put on, but best to use full protection!