7 Safety Tips to Follow When Using Epoxy Resin

With its ability to cure and create a strong hold, epoxy resin is a popular choice of adhesive among businesses. It's used in everything from roofing to manufacturing and more. If your job requires you to handle or otherwise use epoxy resin, though, you should follow these safety tips to protect against injury.

#1) Wear Gloves

Always wear gloves when using epoxy resin. Contact with your skin can cause serious irritation or even burns. Some people, in fact, are allergic to the chemicals and compounds in epoxy resin. If you get the stuff on your skin, it may cause irritation, which is why you should always wear gloves when using epoxy resin.

#2) Wear a Long-Sleeve Shirt

In addition to gloves, you should wear a long-sleeved shirt when using epoxy resin. Prior to curing, epoxy resin has a liquid consistency. As a result, it can drip onto your skin. If you wear a short-sleeve shirt while using epoxy resin, it may get on your arms -- even if you're wearing gloves.

#3) Wear Eye Protection

Of course, you should wear eye protection when using epoxy resin. It's unlikely that any epoxy resin will drip into your eyes. Some of the fumes, however, may get into your eyes. By wearing eye protection, though, you can prevent this from happening.

#4) Wear a Respirator

Depending on the type of epoxy resin you use, you may need to wear a respirator. Although there are exceptions, most types of epoxy resin contain harsh chemicals that are toxic to humans. They are generally safe once cured, but during the initial application, you'll need to wear a respirator when using epoxy resin.

#5) Don't Use Solvents

Avoid the use of solvents with epoxy resin. Solvents will prevent the epoxy resin from curing while simultaneously causing it to release more volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

#6) Change Clothes When Finished

When you are finished using epoxy resin, change your clothes. Even if your current clothes "look" clean, they probably contain small amounts of epoxy resin. If you don't change them, this particulate matter could get on your skin where it causes irritation.

#7) Beware When Sanding Cured Epoxy

If you can sand surfaces with cured epoxy resin, but you should beware of the dangers it poses. When sanded, the hardened epoxy resin will be released into the air as dust. Therefore, you need to wear a respirator, as well as long-sleeve clothing, to protect against exposure.