Dipping and Coating
Dipping and coating involves the use of a liquid, other than water, or it’s vapor to accomplish any of the following operations:
-
Clean an object
-
Coat an object
-
Alter the surface of an object
-
Change the character of an object
A dip tank is a container holding a liquid other than water and is used for dipping or coating.
As used in this context, pickling is a type of dipping and coating operation which refers to the treatment of a metal surface with strong acids ("pickle liquor") to remove impurities, such as stains, rust or scaling.
Dipping and Coating
What are the hazards associated with dipping and coating?
Depending upon the liquids involved in the process, employees may be exposed to physical hazards (e.g., flammable or combustible liquids and vapors) and/or health hazards (e.g., corrosive, toxic) due to inhalation of vapors from or skin contact with chemicals used.
What can I do to protect myself?
Be sure that ventilation is properly functioning before performing any dipping or coating operations. Keep dipping and coating tanks covered when not in use and when parts are immersed in the liquid, unless it is infeasible to cover the tank during operations.
Wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment such as chemically resistant gloves, chemically resistant aprons or coats, and eye and face protection. Whenever ventilation is not sufficient to maintain airborne concentrations of vapors and mists below permissible exposure limits, appropriate respiratory protection must be provided by your employer.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
In addition, several example programs pertaining to occupational exposure to silica can be downloaded and customized to fit individual workplaces including hazard communication program, respiratory protection program, hazardous chemicals and hearing conservation program. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.
An example PPE hazard assessment (English and Spanish) is also available and can be customized to fit workplace conditions. Employers are required to perform a workplace hazard analysis to determine what personal protective equipment is necessary to protect employees from continued exposure to identified hazards.
Training and Outreach Services
The presentations on hazard communication, respiratory protection, and personal protective equipment are available to assist employers in training their staff. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.
In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
The topics pages on flammable liquids, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, hexavalent chromium and respiratory protection can provide additional resource information.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to dipping and coating in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.
Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910.123 – dipping and coating operations: coverage and definitions
- 29 CFR 1910.124 – general requirements for dipping and coating operations
- 29 CFR 1910.125 – additional requirements for dipping and coating operations that use flammable liquids or liquids with flashpoints greater than 199.4 deg F (93 deg C)
- 29 CFR 1910.126 – additional requirements for special dipping and coating operations
- 29 CFR 1910.132 – personal protective equipment, general requirements
- 29 CFR 1910.133 – eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1910.134 – respiratory protection
- 29 CFR 1910.138 – hand protection
- 29 CFR 1910.151 - medical services and first aid
- 29 CFR 1910.1000 – air contaminants
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 - hexavalent chromium
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 – hazard communication
Recordkeeping
- Refer to Recording and Reporting
Other Applicable Standards
The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Compliance Documents
- Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-158 - Respiratory Protection Inspection Procedures establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, to ensure uniform enforcement.
- Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-050 - Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the requirements for personal protective equipment in general industry and to ensure uniform enforcement of the PPE standards.
- Compliance Directive: CPL 02-02-079 - Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the hazard communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, to ensure uniform enforcement of its requirements.
- Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 143 - Suitable Facilities for Drenching or Flushing the Eyes or Body, establishes how employers ensure adequate facilities are available for employees to flush their eyes or body in the event of a splash or spatter of corrosive, strongly irritating or extremely toxic chemicals.
- OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015) provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers.
- CFR 164 - Dipping and Coating Operations promulgation of the rule.
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to dipping and coating operations in general industry.
Technical Assistance
- Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.